Port Focuses on Manpower Training and Re-training

Kuantan Port Consortium is giving greater emphasis in ensuring that the port's manpower requirements meet the needs and demands brought about largely by the changing pattern in the trade and application of new technologies.

The concession holder of the Kuantan Port, Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd has invested, over the years substantially in training and re-training of manpower to cope with the challenges of a growing market needs.

"In 1999, we spent about RM500,000 and about the same amount has been set aside for this year for training our manpower to enhance the skill-levels and knowledge," said the Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer of KPC, Dato' Haji Mohamed Awang Tera.

"The training programmes for port-related activities have been further refined and greater attention is now being given to develop workers with multi-skills. Our investments on human resources since privatisation has started to show positive results, especially in the form of higher productivity. For instance, revenue per employee grew by nine per cent to RM153,887 in 1999 compared with RM140,957 in the previous year," said Dato' Mohamed.

He said there was a need for continuous investment in employee training to meet the requirements of the trade. There is a need for trained and efficient workforce to turnaround vessels swiftly and handle the landside movement of cargo expeditiously

"Our training programme has also helped the workers to change their attitudes towards work and created a competent workforce capable of delivering quality services. Employee's productivity has been on rise and they are committed with their work. We are emphasizing on in-house training and we also send our staff for training in other parts of the country and overseas," said the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Dato' Haji Mohamed Awang Tera.