The National Service Training Department (JLKN) will upgrade the database of its trainees to offer them numerous skills and vocational courses under the second phase of the National Service Training Programme 2.0 (PLKN 2.0).

Defence Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum said the initiative was aimed at helping former PLKN trainees who were still unemployed or without secure jobs.

He said the second phase of PLKN 2.0 offered trainees technical training at Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKA) or Private Skills Training Institutes (ILKS) for a duration of between three and 36 months, depending on the skills/field chosen.

"The second phase of the PLKN 2.0 programme was launched last year and up till now, has trained more than 800,000 trainees nationwide.

"This is a good opportunity for former PLKN trainees to secure suitable jobs to build a better future," he told reporters after launching the closing ceremony for the second batch trainees of the PLKN 2.0 programme (series 14/2017) here today.

Further commenting, Mohd Johari said about 86.6 per cent out of 4,987 PLKN trainees from the second group (series 14/2017) who came from 27 training camps nationwide were interested to join in the second phase of the programme which provided training in fields of high demand such as electrical, electronics, automotive, fashion and design, multimedia as well as oil and gas.

He added that trainees could pursue education in their field of interest without having to go through the University Central Unit.

-- BERNAMA