MPC: Now right time to provide employees with training

KOTA KINABALU: As local businesses in Sabah struggle to keep afloat amidst the global financial crisis, the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) advises that now would be the time for these business entities to provide their employees with training.

Director-general of MPC Dato Nik Zainiah Nik Abdul Rahman said training the workers would help the businesses to be better able to cope with challenges during the crisis.

“Training will enable these organisations to be more efficient in managing human resource, materials or procedures.

“Even if the company is facing a down-turn or not getting enough contracts, there should never be a compromise where training is concerned. Companies shouldn’t save on the cost to train its employees,” she said.

Nik Zainiah was speaking to reporters at the MPC Hari Raya celebration here yesterday.

She went on to say that with less business coming their way, the companies would be able to spare the workers for training.

“When business is brisk, companies will be too busy with the workload and not be able to spare any of their staff for training,” she added.

Companies keen on getting training for their workers but are impeded by financial constraints can seek the MPC for assistance.

“Come and talk to our people. Some of our programmes are conducted without any charge as we have been given an allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to run them,” she explained.

The MPC can even assist companies to review their operation and management methods to improve productivity.

“We conduct customised training programmes to cater to individual needs at a very minimal charge,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Sabah director for MPC, Abdul Zaki Ibrahim said in his speech that the state branch of the corporation had conducted 100 programmes on human resource development and system development as well as specifically for women entrepreneurs.

A total of 400 people from 900 organisations took part in the programmes.

Programmes from now until the end of the year include the Q-Explorace which will take place in Sandakan this month.

About 1,000 people are expected to participate in the event which will focus on teamwork and leadership skill.