KUALA LUMPUR: Learning work-life integration, debunking gender stereotypes and adapting to corporate work culture are among the experiences gained by trainees under Sime Darby Plantation's (SDP) Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (Protégé) programme.
Under the programme, unemployed graduates are given two-weeks of virtual classroom training coupled with a one-year job placement at SDP's operations in nine states across the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak that hosts a significant number of SDP's operations.
Among the ex-Protégé trainees who was later recruited as a cadet engineer for SDP is Ariff Qamaruddin Razak, 24.Ariff, who hails from Seremban, Negri Sembilan, joined SDP in Aug 2020 after completing his Mechanical Engineering degree programme in Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP).
"I applied for the training programme after reading about it on Jobstreet. This programme marked my first encounter with the corporate world.
"At first, I thought my superiors and senior colleagues would consider me a greenhorn and I might not get a chance to prove myself.
"But, SDP values new blood and they allowed me to share my ideas and trusted me with important projects and responsibilities. "For example, I proposed a mitigation plan on how to ease the bottleneck at the Sime Darby Langat Oil Refinery to the general manager as well as to the head of strategy and operation.
"My report was used to justify the decisions made on the matter. For me, that is an achievement," he told the New Straits Times.
Ariff said the job also honed his communication skills as he had to interact with colleagues from around the globe while conducting cyber risk assessment.
More importantly, he said, serving as a cadet engineer in SDP taught him one vital life skill: work-life integration.
"Many people seek to achieve work-life balance but one of my trainers told me that what we really need is work-life integration.
"When I first joined the company, I thought I will have to endure long working nights.
"But, the company's flexible work culture surprised me. Almost two to three times a week, my colleagues and I meet up to play badminton and futsal and build our camaraderie," he said.
Another ex-Protégé trainee, Ester Anak Nyangon, 26, from Kapit, Sarawak said working as a cadet planter for SDP has ignited her passion and aspiration to succeed in the field.
"I pursued a Science in Plantation Technology and Management degree because plantation, for me, is beyond just planting and harvesting crops.
"For me, plantation is about a community coming together.
"So, I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with planters on the ground and experienced firsthand on how to harvest fruits and maintain the plantation in good shape.
"I was also part of a task force to increase crop quality.
"Witnessing the difficulties faced by planters during the harvesting operations spurred me to develop innovative ideas with my team to help them.
"The training taught me to master the art of people management.
"On one hand, I had to communicate with planters on the ground and on the other, I had to work with senior assistants and other colleagues to develop solutions.
"It was both a challenging and refreshing experience," she said.
"I often wondered if females can stand on par with males in the plantation industry but I've got my answer now.
"In SDP, I met many female superiors who were willing to lead and guide me.
"Watching them excel inspires me to strive and succeed in this industry," she said.
Both Ariff and Ester will serve a three-year bond with SDP after completing their one- year cadetship.
After that, both intend to climb up the corporate ladder and become managers.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic has battered the job market, they advised fresh graduates to capitalise on any opportunities that come their way.
Protégé trainees are paid a monthly allowance and entitled to a range of benefits which include annual leave, medical and insurance coverage, Social Security Organisation (Socso) benefits and Employment Insurance System (EIS) as well as subsidised meals.
Upon successful completion of their training, they will receive a certificate of
participation and may be offered an opportunity to be hired as permanent employees.
This year, 500 trainees will come on board SDP's Protégé programme, with 249 trainees who have started in August and another 251 who are slated to start in October.
