Hamzah Rahmat
THE Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is tackling the shortage of frontliners in the tourism industry by introducing an 18-month training programme known as the National Dual Training System.
The course combines classroom learning with practical training and is endorsed by the government’s skills development department.
Hamzah Rahmat, president of MATTA, explained: “Apprentices spend only 20 to 30 per cent of their time in a training centre. For the rest of the programme, they are attached to a travel or tour company for work-based learning under the supervision of specially trained coaches, who are members of MATTA.
“Upon completion of the programme, successful apprentices will be certified competent in inbound and outbound tour operations, reservations and ticket handling, tour transportation handling, sales and marketing as well as tour leading.”
Recruitment begins today, September 2, at MATTA Fair Kuala Lumpur and the first intake of 20 will begin the programme in January. The number of intakes will depend on demand for the programme.
Those who complete the programme can further upgrade their qualification by taking courses that lead to a Malaysian Skills Diploma.
