MIRI: The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) will be launching a new programme this March for engineers, wood technology graduates as well as undergraduates to be absorbed into timber-based companies for training and internship purposes.
The ‘MTC Engineer Placement and Internship in Industry Programme 2021’ will be a joint initiative between the council, higher learning institutions in the country and timber associations.
“The need for engineers is becoming more crucial as timber-based manufacturers remodel their operations towards digitalisation and smart manufacturing primarily due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses,” said MTC CEO Muhtar Suhaili.
He said the programme is part of the MTC’s Five-Year plan which focuses on building the knowledge talent in the industry.
The Engineer Placement programme is a one-year programme for engineers to receive on-the-job training under the guidance of a professional while the Internship Programme is open to undergraduates who are doing their industrial training. MTC will absorb the training cost as well as provide allowances.
Muhtar said the programme will be jointly launched in March by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and the Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The programme will also see the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MTC, six timber associations, eight universities and two polytechnic institutions.
