Many people opt for vocational training to ensure that they are job-ready.
BY SIMRIT KAUR
HAPPINESS is ? working with your hands. In a recent survey commissioned by City & Guilds (C&G) in Britain, hairdressers are the happiest workers, followed closely by beauty therapists and childcare workers.
According to the “Happiness Index”, one-fifth of people with vocational jobs describe themselves as “extremely happy” with what they do. That’s more than double the number of office-bound professionals who say the same.
Whether you are a fresh school-leaver who wants to pick up a marketable skill, a mid-career worker looking for a job change, or a skilled employee seeking confirmation that you have attained a certain standard, C&G has a qualification just right for you.
C&G, the largest international vocational examination body, was established in 1878 in London. It has a presence in over 100 countries, with 1.8 million students obtaining its qualifications every year.
As an examining body, C&G prepares syllabuses, establishes standards and prepares examinations and other forms of assessment to measure the level of a student’s training.
In Malaysia, it has over 100 qualifications offered at 380 authorised training centres under 28 industrial sectors, ranging from engineering to hairdressing.
Students can choose to do a certificate course, or opt for a diploma or an advanced diploma. However, some courses may not be offered at all three levels.
City & Guilds (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd country director Ian Oswin Noronha says there are many factors that motivate a person to obtain a vocational qualification.
“Gaining a C&G qualification certifies that learners have both the technical knowledge and practical skills to carry out particular tasks,” says Noronha, adding that last year, Malaysians sat for 14,000 C&G examinations.
This year, the company is targeting 20,000 examinations.
Malaysian students make up about 80% of the Southeast Asian market. The Malaysia office is responsible for intake from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Brunei and Myanmar.
“The number of authorised training centres has increased by more than 50% in the past four years,’’ adds Noronha, who joined C&G Malaysia four years ago.
The most popular qualification sought by Malaysians is that for automotive engineering. Major centres include The Otomotif College in Petaling Jaya, Riam Institute in Miri, Despark Auto in Klang and Malacca, Rimbunan Hijau in Sibu, Times Academy in Kajang and Tractors Training Malaysia.
Other popular courses are hairdressing and patisserie. C&G recently introduced two new courses here, for those who wish to become baristas and security guards.
Tuition and other fees vary, according to the education provider. As an examination body, C&G only collects an examination fee from students.
Students receive an International Vocational Qualification (IVQ). This is the international equivalent of C&G’s vocational qualifications in Britain.
“Because of their international dimension, IVQs are not part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But they have been formally mapped to the level of the NQF,’’ Noronha says.
Students who have completed certificates and diplomas from the National Vocational Training Council (MLVK) can also transfer their credits to a C&G programme. In fact, many C&G-authorised training centres also offer MLVK courses.
C&G qualifications are also recognised by Middlesex University, Westminster University and Middlesex University.
“Some higher education institutions have accepted students with C&G advanced diplomas into the second year of their degree programmes,’’ he adds.
In line with the open access policy and the belief that no one should be denied a chance to obtain a skills qualification, there are no minimum entry requirements for a C&G programme.
For now, admission of students is at the discretion of the authorised training centres. About 20% of the intake comprises mature students, Noronha adds.
Selected C&G examinations can also be taken online at any time and students can get their results instantly.
Written examinations – administered the old-fashioned way – are held on the same day throughout the world.
The exam scripts are then sent to Britain for marking. C&G also appoints external verifiers from the respective industries to act as examiners. They are nominated, appointed and trained by the body.
Students are tested in both theory and practice. Knowledge is measured by multiple choice questions or subjective assessment, while practical skills are assessed based on assignments or given tasks.
In Malaysia, students can take C&G qualifications in Chinese, too. Currently 14 courses are offered in that language. However, students’ scrolls (which are printed in Britain) will indicate that a language other than English was used.
Every year, C&G offers a gold medal to a student who has topped a particular course worldwide. Many Malaysians have won such prizes.
Last year, Alban Lee Yoon King from Riam Institute in Miri received a gold medal for being the best in the world for the Advanced Technician Diploma in Applied Mechanical and Electrical Engineering – Plant Technology. City & Guilds has also been actively involved in the MCA's Lifelong Learning Campaign.
Source: The Star Online 24-02-2008