A LOGISTICS company is offering graduates from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) skills training and employment opportunities.

PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, has pledged to train and employ 100 graduates under the Smart Trucker Programme.

The initiative, led by its group chief executive and managing director Datuk Michael Tio, was unveiled in conjunction with the Career Advancement eProgramme (CAP) — also known as Penjana KPT-CAP, which was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many to secure jobs.

According to the Statistics Department, the number of unemployed persons as of July 2020 stood at 745,000 as compared to 524,800 a year ago.

Under the Smart Trucker Programme, selected UUM graduates will undergo a six-month training course with PKT beginning next month.

Unlike the usual upskilling programme, this programme is unique as graduates are assured of employment upon completion.

“This programme will help alleviate unemployment among graduates by offering them a job that is in high demand.

“As seen during the movement control order (MCO) since March, essential industries such as logistics remain operational.

“We see this as a sign that the logistics industry is a recession- proof business, ” said Tio during the event.

The six-month training will see the Smart Truckers learning the basics of defensive driving, commercial truck driving, custom brokerage and also warehouse management.

Upon completion of the training, the graduates will be employed by PKT as Smart Truckers over a four-year period and enjoy a higher monthly income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000.

“As the Smart Truckers graduate from the programme after four years, they can opt to transfer to an office-bound role as a logistics executive.

“There they will have an upper hand compared to their peers as they will then be rich with operational experience and on-ground know-how, ” added Tio.