Exclusive Interview

Knowledge Universe: An Upgraded Employee is a Boon

Having employees who are keen to upgrade themselves continuously is a boon for employers. Much so when companies make effort to make Human Resource Development Fund a compulsory endeavour and constantly provide training for the starrs.

Higher learning centres like Knowledge Universe are one of the avenues employers can tap to help to develop quality workforce in the country. Still, it is important to instill the need to upgrade themselves as employees are at times just too focussed on getting paycheque at the end of the month.

“Generally very few think about upgrading themselves, and when they do they will think about it especially after five to eight years of working,” said Prem Mathavan, chief executive officer of Prisma Revolusi Sdn Bhd, a key franchise holder of Knowledge Universe, which is part of Raffles Education Group

“Mostly it would be pressure from their better performing peers, or those stuck where they are or those looking for increment or bigger bonuses,” he added.

The bigger picture is different. Something differing from just a luxurious need to what Prem calls an “insurance policy”.

“It’s no difference a scenario then what insurance means when if you are physically disabled,” said Prem. A well-equipped employee could only mean that companies have a strong workforce that should eliminate the need to rope in outsiders or outsource bigger talents.

With additional paper qualification in their resume, employees would always find themselves needed in the marketplace, as it tops up their already good experience. This also adds to the company’s credibility with quality workforce further boosting its own brand positioning.

“(Upgrade education) is a mechanism to see themselves in a wider spectrum, where they are able to fit anywhere,” said Prem. At any time the companies positions themselves to fit into the volatile and changing market atmosphere, the employees can find themselves ready and able to adapt, a clear advantage to avoid high turnover in the companies.

Prem cites institutes like Knowledge Universe as definite platform for employees who have missed out on acquiring diplomas, bachelor or masters degrees back in their student days. “Instead of you going to the University, we bring the University to you,” Prem said.

He noted that the facilitators are the real McCoy themselves, with personalities straight from the industry hotbed, like accountants, lawyers and bank managers, who not only provide knowledge but experience as well.

The period for the programmes are definitely workers-friendly. A diploma, for example, would take only one year, while an accredited one offered to high school leavers would stretch between two and three years.

Prem urged both employers and employees to identify the right program that would help employees to upgrade themselves and contribute to the company’s well being.

“One has to do proper search for the right program,” said Prem. “You don’t go for certain programmes just because it’s the trend to do so, or it’s popular….or because it has cute girls in the class.”

When asked about the fresh graduates and their position in the job market, Prem observed the same attribute that was complained about by other employers in this section – choosy!

“To the fresh graduates, we tell you this: don’t be choosy. Learn the job, learn how to do your tasks and most importantly you must listen, not just hear,” said Prem.

He said they should acquire the patience to learn their chores, the job inside out and not move on just because “someone is paying RM100 extra”.

“Once you have learned the job inside out, you can ask for the salary you wanted,” Prem said, noting that it’s the graduates attitude, alongside aptitude that have them swimming in the pool of unemployment.

“Global unemployment rate may be due to economic cycle but it should not be denied that there are also man-made factors like lack of interest on the employees’ part contributing to the high unemployment rate here in Malaysia.”