PLATS Programme to Help 5,000 Jobless Individuals Generate New Income
SHAH ALAM: A total of 5,000 individuals aged 40 and above who have lost their jobs due to the West Asian global conflict will be assisted in regenerating their income sources through the Selangor Platform Career Transition Programme (PLATS).
The Head of the Selangor Menteri Besar Foundation (Incorporated) or MBI said the foundation, together with the Human Resources Standing Committee, will identify the affected individuals through data from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
According to Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor, eligible individuals will receive PLATS benefits including business training and courses, entrepreneurship camps, as well as financial assistance of up to RM10,000 interest-free.
“They will also be given access to the PLATS business ecosystem, in addition to receiving assistance in marketing and product promotion. Participants will also be provided with internet data assistance for one year as well as travel allowances.
“The target group is those aged 40 and above because they face difficulties in finding or regaining employment due to age factors. So we offer a way out for the continuity of their income sources,” he told Media Selangor.
Elaborating further, Ahmad Azri said besides being guided, participants will also be monitored over a period of six months to assess their performance and if they are interested in continuing as entrepreneurs, other assistance will be provided.
“For this initial phase, we are targeting 5,000 participants first. If the entrepreneurs’ performance is encouraging, we will increase the intake,” he said.
The PLATS Career Transition was introduced through Phase 2 of the Selangor Resilience Strengthening Package aimed at providing opportunities for individuals who have lost their jobs to venture into entrepreneurship.
When presenting the package last Friday, Dato’ Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the programme involves an allocation of RM4 million, enabling participants to undergo training and exposure to basic business strategies.
Media Selangor