GEORGE TOWN, May 31 – The PBA Group of Companies has agreed to assist MWI Melaka Sdn Bhd (MWI) to conduct more government-accredited water supply training programmes in Melaka. PBA Resources Sdn Bhd (PBAR), a subsidiary of PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MWI in Melaka on 30.5.2022 (yesterday). The scope of the agreement covers the following terms:
- PBAR is appointed as an advisor or consultant to assist MWI to obtain JPK (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran or Department of Skills Development, Ministry of Human Resources) recognition as an accredited centre for water supply industry training programmes;
- PBAR is appointed as an advisor in matters related to obtaining certification, renewal of accreditation and addition of training programmes;
- MWI will use JPK-accredited training modules from PWSA (Penang Water Supply Academy); and
The duration of the MoU was set at 3 years, commencing from 30.5.2022. The guest-of-honour at the MoU signing ceremony was YAB Datuk Seri Utama (Dr.) Hj. Sulaiman bin Md. Ali, the Chief Minister of Melaka. Since 2014, PWSA (which is managed by PBAR) has been accredited by JPK to provide SKM (Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia or Malaysian Skills Certificate) courses leading towards technical competency certifications recognised by the Malaysian Government.
In November 2016, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), set a key performance indicator (KPI) for water supply operators to obtain competency certifications for all their technical personnel. This KPI is related to Section 49 (1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (WSIA 2006). The minimum requirement is a SKM-level certification.
In the period 2018 – 2019, PBAR signed 3 agreements to form “smart partnerships” with 3 organisations. These partnerships enabled the provision of more SKM-level training programmes throughout Malaysia for the benefit of school-leavers and existing uncertified water supply personnel.
PBAPP’s 3 “smart partners” in this venture were KYM STES (MWI’s predecessor in Melaka), Malaysian Water Academy Sdn Bhd (which manages MyWA in Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA which manages PERDA-TECH in Penang). The MoU signing with MWI yesterday renewed PBAPP’s commitment to support SKM-level water supply industry training programmes in Melaka.
The population of Malaysia was estimated to be 32.7 million people in 2021. About 95.5% of Malaysians have access to piped water and 19,646 water supply personnel were employed by water supply operators and/or water utilities to provide water supply services. With on-going population growth, climate change challenges and a projected resurgence of socioeconomic activities in the post-Covid-19 era, the water supply industry will need to tap a bigger pool of qualified and competent personnel to serve Malaysia’s water needs in the near future.
By promoting widespread competency training through PBAR and PWSA, the PBA Group strives to get more young Malaysians ready for careers in the water supply industry of the future while upgrading the competency status of existing water industry personnel throughout Malaysia.
