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SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION WITH HSBC

HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad and MySkills Foundation (MSF) today announced their collaboration in a joint venture initiative to empower at-risk youth in Malaysia with the skill sets required for gainful employment. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad and MySkills Foundation today, at the MySkills Transformation Campus in Kalumpang witnessed by YB Tuan Kulasegaran Murugeson, Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia.

The 12-month training programme commenced from April 2019, targets 100 youths to equip them with vocational training, life management and soft skills in order to transition them to higher paying jobs upon graduation from the programme.

The initiative not only supports youth who are in need of sustainable livelihoods but also addresses the country’s challenge in hiring talent with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) related skills. According to the government’s 11th Malaysia Plan, about 60 percent of the 1.5 million new jobs expected to be created in Malaysia between 2016 and 2020 will require TVET skills and there are concerns of a lack of Malaysians trained with the right skill sets to meet the demand.

Funded by HSBC, the training programme which includes vocational training is to enable the 100 students for careers in electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, corporate secretarial and bakery production. Graduating students will be placed with industry partners – which include small-and-medium enterprises and contractors. Concurrently, MySkills will also train the students in basic employability skills, knowledge and work ethics needed to successfully transition into the workforce.

Stuart Milne, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Malaysia said at the ceremony, “Since our foundation in 1865, HSBC has helped communities to thrive in the modern world. One of our main Corporate Sustainability pillars is to support the financial capability and employability opportunities of the people in the communities we serve, especially for young people.”

“Through our partnership with MySkills Foundation on this project, we hope to give the youth exposure to a wide range of skills that will bolster their chances of having a bright and successful future. I would like to commend MySkills Foundation for their extraordinary contribution to enabling the next generation of Malaysia to become economically independent. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with such a reputable community organisation that shares our vision of supporting and enabling the employability of young people and look forward to working with them to execute this project over the coming year”, he added.

“MySkills Foundation aims to increase the exposure on work experience (On-Job-Training) to lower the dropout rate that exists, one of the challenges faced. The exposure we hope, would best build occupational character building that will result in stronger retention. Our partnership with HSBC adds greater value for sustainable transformation in terms of human capital, skills competency and enterprising value-based education” , said Mr S Pasupathi , Director of MySkills Foundation.

“Recent study showed a disconnect between the skills that educational and training institutions are imparting and what the industry is seeking. Malaysia has a well-educated workforce, fairly low unemployment and a government proactive in expanding its pool of skilled workers. We remain fully committed to supporting economic growth, inclusion and skills training in this country.”

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A journey began, a journey completed; a new journey begins…..

8th December 2018 marked an exciting day in the life of 103 young people gathered at MySkills Youth Transformation Campus, Kalumpang. They were part of a bigger group, from 2010, who had dared to take the first step in a different direction. It was MySkills 6th graduation session. Together with them were their parents/mothers/ care-givers; for most of them at least. The emotion was surely mixed for the handful of students who were there without family being present.
The dignity that MySkills graduates gained as they received their Malaysian Vocational certificates from the Guest of Honour Datuk B. Sahadevan is something that has come from the efforts of many, including the youth themselves. Datuk Sahadevan in his opening address quoted from what Mr Pasupathi had recalled, that of the quote of the Late Tun Sambanthan- “being poor but not timid”. And he likened MySkills’ growth from a “small seed to such a big endevour”.
Datuk Sahadevan reminded the youth to be responsible to take care of their lives as the future of the community he shared, relied heavily on them. Mr. Pasupathi had earlier brought the audience back to a historical point, that of the contribution made by Indians in the days of early Malaya, of the arduous task of cutting the jungle, of planting rubber. “This is your place” reminded the founding Director of MySkills. “MySkills is restoring the dignity the Indians once had” he added. For Dr. Sanmugasiva “ teaching a poor child will lead to God looking for you”. He assured the youth that MySkills will follow up with them in the journey of their life.

What is this transformation, one may wonder. For Peter Rajoo, from Rembau who stepped foot into MySkills in 2016 at Port Klang, it was a change in attitude to so many aspects of life, including food. He learned to eat vegetables only at MySkills; he never communicated respectfully with anyone but through his time in MySkills, he learned that there were some words you never used on anyone. This reminder came everyday at assembly- the MySkills pledge, in Tamil and English.
He learned that there was a certain way of speaking. He learned it by witnessing how his ‘teachers” spoke. He is grateful to all staff and volunteers for showing him the path, even that of bringing his interest in sports to a higher level. Kegundren, 17 shared that he used to speak without thinking but now he knows what respect is. He has also learned about reality, the “outside world”, the good and bad. He now is proud to have secured a job as a wireman in Karak Pahang. Like Peter Rajoo, he is now set to make his contribution to his family.

Mr. Deva was all smiles as he announced the MySkills Foundation Awards beginning with the highest, i.e. Raja Dato’ Rashid Badiozaman Transformation Award. This went to Ganesan Thewasikamany for his exemplary leadership traits besides his multi-technical skills. MySkills being an inclusive training instution, gave recognition to a youth with Special needs, i.e. Logeswary Ganesan. Her partial hearing ability was not used as an excuse but rather in spite of it, she pushed herself and showed her passion in bread and pastry making. After an initial employment at a Café in Sunway University, she is now in a new job in Singapore. She is 2018’s recipient of the Special Jury Award. Three other students were recognised through the MySkills Excellence awards, i.e. Pravindran Vasudevan, Rubba Sri Punaveswaran and Karthigan Jaishangkar. Pravindran had no background to any of the technical skills he now applies every day as an intern. While he may be reserved, he commands a lot of respect given his dedication and loyalty.

If there was one student who gave some degree of stress to Mr. Deva through his former teacher, it is no other than Khitiswaran Yogesvaran. It was his teacher Mr. Nada who got Mr Deva to enroll Khitis in MySkills. His teacher never failed to ask Mr. Deva about him. The “how is Khitis” question was akin to a knife being held at his throat, mused Mr. Deva. Today, Khitis proudly went up the stairs with his head held high together with all his friends.
Being in a class setting with a mixed group of students, most of whom are starved of attention, both at home and in school, a “teacher” certainly has its challenges. There is a time period when the students journey begins in the ‘pre-vocational’. Here they learn some basic literacy and numeracy skills bearing in mind that most have been left very far behind. And some of these challenges continue throughout their transformation in MySkills.

The “transformers” are both staff and volunteers. MySkills honours the dedication of volunteers through its Special Awards. This year’s three recipients are Mr Jayagobi for his 6 years of commitment to the youth through his electrical skills, Ms. Ranjani for contribution to the spiritual development of the female students through a creative engagement of the students with the Bhagavad Gita. And the students and staff look forward to her vegetarian meals brought without fail every Tuesday. Another “star” is Ms Punitha, a retired staff nurse dedicated to the transformation of the students at de Devine Café. She drives daily from Cheras to Brickfields to help in the F&B training and her motherly advise and relationship.

MySkills will always make a difference to the many marginalized youth, irrespective of ethnicity. With its 35 acres campus and facilities, MySkills look forwards to more youth to learn not only a skill but more importantly to begin a journey of transformation of their lives. Its various programmes, i.e. Electrical Wiring, Industrial Automation, Secretarial and Bakery Production provide a means of livelihood, together with other skills related with agriculture. It is the holistic transformation that sets MySkills apart for all who have completed the process. This year’s graduates totaled 103.

Veronica Anne Retnam
12122018

HSBC Malaysia’s “ Deepavali Do Good”

It is a special time at MySkills Kalumpang Lakeside Campus when visitors come a calling. November the 2^nd 2018 saw HSBC Malaysia’s team for a “Deepavali Do Good” celebration cum educational programme.

We started with a ‘Kolam’ competition, doing it the MySkills way, that of team work. Our students designed and crafted patiently and carefully, attractive “kolams” with contrasting colours. Try to do one and you know what it takes!

Next, we were privileged to have, on our shores, some aspects of the Junior Achievement More than Money financial literacy programme. This global financial literacy programme which centres around earning, spending, sharing and saving money gave our students some insights into money management.

Who should show up during the programme if not for the CEO of HSBC himself! Mr. Stuart Milne was warmly welcomed by the MySkills Family. Most MySkills events would not be complete without student dance performances, both modern and traditional. So they sprung to action, entertaining one and all.

Being an institution that tries to keep its operation costs low, students do their own cooking. Once more they had the opportunity to not only prepare lunch but also to serve, proving their catering skills.

It was then time for Deepavali goodies. Our guests presented these to our students and HSBC’s donation for MySkills. This was a happy moment for sure.

The programme ended at 1230pm after the presentation of prizes for the “kollam” competition and a group photography session. With that we bid farewell to our guests and we are quite sure they enjoyed themselves as much as we did. And that they appreciate our green home at the foothills of Titiwangsa.