KUCHING: The Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) in Bintulu has lowered its entry requirements for students to enter vocational education.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said previously, candidates applying to pursue diploma courses in Adtec needed at least four credits including in Mathematics and Science.

“With the relaxation, candidates need only have two credits including in Bahasa Malaysia and Science to apply,” he told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at his office in the State Legislative Assembly building here yesterday.

Riot said the January intake was completed with students enrolled for various programmes offered by Adtec.

“However, we will give wider publicity to the relaxed requirements so those who missed out can still apply,” he said.

“This is very good for our local students and hopefully they will take it up,” he added.

Riot informed that the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) located in Kota Samarahan and Miri is open for its January intake.

On plans to achieve 33 per cent skilled workforce in Malaysia by 2015 from the current 28 per cent, he said a new industrial training institute has to be constructed.

“We are happy that prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has approved the setting up of one ILP in Serian,” he said.

“The chief minister has been briefed about this plan and he was very happy that it will be implemented in the very near future,” he added.

The chief minister, Riot said, has assured to provide all necessary assistance including the acquisition of land to implement the plan.

“The government aims to push up the number of skilled workforce in the country to 50 per cent by year 2020,” he added.

On an unrelated issue, Riot revealed that Kuching will for the first time host the national-level Labour Day celebration in Kuching on May 1.

“The celebration is normally held in Kuala Lumpur and hopefully the prime minister will be here to officiate at the grand event – the biggest for my ministry so far,” he said.

Others involved are Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC), Public Service Department (JPA), relevant organisations including employers and employees and all government agencies and departments.