Sime Darby Developing Industry-Ready Graduates through Skim Latihan 1Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2015 – Leading Malaysian multinational, Sime Darby Berhad, yesterday launched its Sime Darby Skim Latihan 1 Malaysia (SL1M) 2015 programme as part of its commitment towards enhancing employability and reducing unemployment among Malaysian graduates.

The programme, a part of Sime Darby’s Corporate Responsibility initiative, saw the participation of 450 trainees, of whom 250 are currently attending a 4-week classroom training programme whilst the remaining 200 are given on-the-job training at various departments across the Group’s diverse business divisions. Sime Darby has been a firm supporter of SL1M since the Government-led initiative was first introduced in 2011.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, officiated the event and commended Sime Darby for its effort. 

“The SL1M programme is a major Public-Private initiative to improve graduates’ employability and further develop human capital. We are grateful to Sime Darby, as a high performing organisation and a preferred employer, for leading the way and living up to its reputation as an exemplary corporate citizen,” he said. He later engaged the trainees in a forum, exchanging views on the current economic situation and work challenges that awaits them. 
 
During the launch, Sime Darby President and Group Chief Executive, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh indicated that 1,595 trainees benefited from the Sime Darby SL1M programme and about 80% of them has successfully secured employment, either with Sime Darby or other organisations, even before completing the programme itself.  

The 12-month SL1M Sime Darby programme comprises of four weeks of classroom training, where trainees undergo personal and leadership skill development, which prepares them for life in an actual business environment.

Tan Sri Bakke said, “During the training, we aim to instil Sime Darby’s core values of integrity, respect & responsibility, excellence and enterprise through the training modules for the participants with the hope that it will benefit them personally in their future employment”.

Another 11 months of training will involve job placements which provide opportunities for the trainees to work alongside Sime Darby industry specialists and experts. 

He further said that the programme provides an enriching holistic learning experience to the trainees. 

“By the end of the programme, the trainees would have developed personal mastery, learned Sime Darby’s best work practices and gained essential skills and experience that may provide them better career prospects to compete in the increasingly challenging employment market”. 

Mohd Fuad Mohd Ismail, who was a trainee of the Sime Darby SL1M programme, is one of the programme’s many success stories. He was absorbed by Sime Darby upon completion of his training and has since been promoted to a senior executive in Sime Darby’s Group Procurement Unit. 

He said, “I have benefitted tremendously from the programme. It sets a strong foundation for me to succeed in my career and enables me to contribute positively towards becoming a high performer. It was a privilege to be part of the programme and I want to grow further with the organisation”. 

Mohamad Azizul Mohd Yusof who is among the 450 “unpolished gems” participating in this year’s programme said, “Although I am just at the beginning of the programme, I can see its value. So far, I have been exposed to modules such as business acumen, leadership, creative and analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, communications and teamwork. I am confident that it will provide me with the knowledge and skills required to become an integral asset to any organisation I work with”.

Meanwhile, Johan Mahmood Merican, CEO of TalentCorp Malaysia said, “The well-structured programme by Sime Darby is highly sought after by the university graduates, especially in providing exposure to Sime Darby's diverse businesses and different career opportunities.  International accolades won by Sime Darby in leadership and talent development space from Aon Hewitt for Global Top Companies by Leaders are testaments of Sime Darby’s strong commitment in growing talent. We are privileged to be collaborating with Sime Darby in the SL1M programme this year”.