MONTFORT Boys Town (MBT), one of the stalwart organisations for vocational training in Malaysia, successfully provides much needed hands-on training for youth, and today continues its quest to fill the gaps in the labour market for such skills.
For over 62 years, 7,500 students have been trained in various programmes, in the areas of automotive, graphic design & multimedia, facilities maintenance, and machining.
Arul S., deputy director of MBT, who has worked at Montfort for 22 years, feels a passion to serve with the youth, especially teenagers (16 to 18-year-olds), and has never looked back.
“The young need our guidance, and many are in great need of vocational training, and we only charge fees, which their parents can afford to pay,” said Arul.
While many NGOs and training institutions have closed during the pandemic, Montfort carries on its training online, as there is a steady demand for vocational services in the areas of the automotive industry, hospitality, graphic design, and baking and pastry-making.
While the earlier concept was to reach out to marginalised youth, today that may no longer be true.
Many youths walk into Montfort after their Form 3 or Form 5, in the hopes of gaining much-needed skills rather than an academic career.
Even with the pandemic on, there is an increasing demand for a skilled workforce, one where graduates can fit into a job immediately.
Segambut MP, Hannah Yeoh, the former Minister of Women, Family and Community Development said, “I was invited to Montfort to visit the vocational centre and meet the youth there. I love that young people are given opportunities to learn life skills.
"They are also given a second chance to rebuild their lives and there is a great support system by teachers, trainers, and a live-in community. This support structure remains vital for young people finding their way in the world.
“Moreover, we (in Malaysia) do not have enough mainstream vocational training. A lot of emphasis is given to academic lessons in our mainstream education system.”
Businessman Paul Gnanapragasam, an alumnus of Montfort, today runs a successful business in aerospace assembly tooling and other forms of tooling for Airbus and Boeing. The machine technology company which he started with his partner has three divisions, and so Gnanapragasam serves as an inspiration to other Montfort youth.
Gnanapragasam said he joined Montfort at 17-years old and the turning point in his life was the results he received in the Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP), which spurred his parents to enrol him at Montfort.
“My parents, who come from a humble background, knew that I had a different style of learning and so a hands-on experience would work better in developing vocational skills. At Montfort I had the chance to learn the way I could best.
“Over time my self-confidence grew, and finally I graduated with a certificate as a manual machinist in 1996. From that time onwards, my skills grew in various areas as I attended many courses. I also travelled extensively, having undertaken various projects and multi-tasking work assignments,” added Gnanapragasam, who today works as Executive Director in his own company.
What did he learn at Montfort that made him decide to open his own business?
“During my time at Montfort, I was made headquarter prefect which meant I was exposed to responsibility and began to understand the meaning of leadership and building up self-confidence.
“It was not only the skills set that I picked up at Montfort, also my character formation and other aspects that gave me the courage to open up my own business and I learnt to overcome my challenges and work harder,” said Gnanapragasam.
Lim Zu Er, who works at a hotel in Genting Highlands is one of the younger graduates of Montfort, who came in after her Form 5 to attend the hospitality programme.
“Currently I work as a Front Office Assistant (FOA) and it’s been nearly two and half years since I joined and it's given me the opportunity to do something I enjoy. When I completed my SPM in 2016, I realised that studying further was not an option for me.
“As I loved meeting people and making friends, hospitality was perfect. At Montfort, the environment was disciplined, and I picked up important relevant skills for my job today,” said Lim, who feels her English improved tremendously along with her self-confidence.
The multiculturalism she was exposed to helped Lim develop her appreciation for other cultures and customs.
“One thing good about hospitality is that it covers a wide range of areas, culinary including beverages and food handling and that has stood me in good stead,” added Lim.
For Lau Wei Hui, he enjoys working with cars and was accepted at MBT for the automotive programme and excelled in it.
“My background is mixed as my grandmother is Indian, while my grandfather is Chinese, so I picked up both languages fluently. I’m also a big fan of Tamil movies. At the time when I was studying in school, they were my guardians. When I decided not to further my studies after Form 3, they signed me up at Montfort for the automotive programme.
“The then director at Montfort, Peter Isaac, took me under his wings and mentored me personally and my confidence grew.
“The movies of Indian film icon MG Ramachandran have also greatly influenced me. He is well known for helping the poor and his inspiring words and actions have also encouraged me to go forward in life, to achieve my goals despite the challenges,” explained Lau.
Today Lau runs an automotive repair shop in Sabah, where he repairs mostly 4-wheel drives.
“I would never have been able to achieve my dreams without the mentorship and training that Montfort gave me,” shared Lau. – The Vibes, September 5, 2021
