EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATES OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING BOARD

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Encik Sidek bin Saniff asked the Prime Minister how long after completing their courses does it take graduates of institutes of the Industrial Training Board to obtain employment.

The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, surveys of ITB graduates are conducted six months after they complete training to determine their employment status. It was found that of the 1975-76 graduates, 43% were in full-time national service and 15% were pursuing further studies/training, while 28% were employed and 14% were looking for a job, staying at home or did not state their employment status. The great majority, 77%, of working graduates found jobs within three months; 91% within six months. Industrial Technician Certificate (ITC) graduates generally fared better than the average.

Surveys are also conducted of ITB graduates demobbed from national service to determine their employment status. Of those demobbed in 1975 and 1976, 69% were in employment while 5% were pursuing higher studies or staying at home. The remainder 26% were looking for a job. Of those employed, 78% had found employment within three months. Of those looking for a job, only 23% had been job-hunting for more than six months.