Asyraf Adam did not think twice about accepting an offer to take up vocational training in the automotive field. The 16-year-old, a school dropout, understood that second chances such as this would be few and far between in his lifetime. So, while his friends were busy in school burying their noses in books, Asyraf was rolling around in engine oil with a monkey wrench in hand, studying automotive parts.

He is among the 30 youths selected to enroll in the National Dual Training System programme at Tekat Auto Terminal Training, in collaboration with car manufacturer Nissan. Asyraf recognized the chance as a make-or-break opportunity. He is now one step closer to becoming a certified automotive technician.

Dropping Out of School

Asyraf, who hails from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, is the third of six siblings. Beginning in primary school, his family noticed his rebellious nature. They sent him to a religious school in the district in the hope that it would help with his behavioral problems. The move proved to be futile. Asyraf started smoking and being truant regularly. He eventually left school at age 14.

"After quitting school, I spent most of my time hanging out with my friends and loitering," he said.

"As I hadn’t much to do, I started to engage in ‘rempit’ activities (illegal motorcycle racing)."

He sustained several injuries from dangerous stunts he performed during illegal motorcycle races, but they were no deterrent. After two years of loitering around, the youth association in his village invited Asyraf to enroll for automotive training in TEKAT. The sweetener to the deal was the prospect of being able to work with Nissan. 

"At first I felt reluctant to be studying again, but I knew I would soon get bored with illegal racing. So, on the advice of my family, and because of my interest in the automotive field, I agreed to join the course."

Kicked Out of School

Another student in the program shares a similar background with Asyraf. Mohd Khairul Azwan Hamzah, 16, from Baling, Kedah, was kicked out of school last year. The fourth of six siblings, Mohd Khairul said he was not at all sorry about leaving school.

School was no longer fun, he said, as he often fell victim to bullying, which eventually ended up in fights.

"I often got into fights, played truant and got caned. School was no longer fun," he said.

After he was kicked out, he spent most of his time helping his father sell items at pasar malam, and working at odd jobs around the village.

"Difficulty in earning an income made me realize that I needed to change my life," he said.

"When the youth association in my village nominated me for the course, I agreed and, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), I was chosen."

Another student in the program, Mohd Firdaus Mohd Nor, 21, can hardly believe his luck in getting a chance to work with a renowned Japanese car manufacturer. Mohd Firdaus, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, said he was a slow student and left school at 14 because he was unable to keep up with lessons. 

"It had always been very difficult for me to absorb lessons," he said. "I eventually felt bored and inferior to my peers, so I quit school."

However, he said, he will not waste this second chance.

"I may be a little slow, but I will give it my all. I’m certain I can make it," he said.

A Second Chance for Many

TEKAT Auto Terminal Training Business Development Manager Mohammad Rizan Hassan said the centre’s focus is to help the students get a second chance at life.

"Many among them are just neglected for so long that they eventually become involved in social delinquencies and crime," he said.

"We don’t want that to happen, so TEKAT is trying to attract as many youths, aged between 16 and 25, to join the automotive training course under the Malaysian Skills Certification program."

Under the joint program with Nissan, he said, trainees spend three months at TEKAT and another nine months undergoing internship at Tan Chong Motors, the distributor of Nissan vehicles.

TEKAT, which began operations in 2000, focuses on providing automotive skills and developing manpower among youths to sustain industry needs. Rizan said the center has produced more than 5,000 skilled workers to date, and nearly 90 percent of them are employed by international automotive companies or local workshops.

"We have trainees from various races," he said.

"Besides equipping them with skills, we also help them secure jobs. We have collaborated with many car manufacturers, including Volvo, Toyota, Perodua and Honda."

1 Youth 1 Skill

Not many school dropouts are willing to come forward and enroll in such training courses, said Malaysian Youth Council President Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee. He said there were some 200,000 school dropouts last year, but the percentage of them enrolled in skill training is very low.

"Everyone needs to do their bit to help by encouraging these youths to enroll, so that they can benefit from programs in which the government has invested a large amount of money.

"This includes programs to develop skilled youths, such as that organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry, 1 Youth 1 Skill," he said.

Government and private skill training centers have been mobilized across the country to seek out school dropouts and offer them courses suitable to their interests and abilities. Such centres include TEKAT Auto Terminal Training, the National Youth Training Institute, and community colleges across the nation. 

Mohamed Maliki said youths who drop out of school need help to be pulled out of their comfort zones, as many have low self-esteem that keeps them from seeking any form of help.

"These youths develop inferiority complexes as early as primary school, as they are usually the lowest performers. They carry such feelings throughout secondary school, and ultimately they find it very hard to fit into society. Thus, they fall into complacency," he said.

He said a different approach was needed to attract these youths, as many of them are reluctant to try learning. The mentor approach appears to work in influencing them to take the first step toward changing their lives, said Mohamed Maliki.

"They are more comfortable sharing their experiences with those with a similar past and background. I hope there will be more mentors to help others come out into the open."


- Bernama