Latest news with #trainees
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The Skoda Superb is now a pick-up truck!
Some of Skoda's Student Car creations – such as a Citigo-based beach buggy and the convertible Karoq 'Sunroq' – have been pretty wacky, and continuing this trend is a Skoda Superb Estate that's been transformed into a pick-up truck. It's called the L&K 130, and the name refers to the 130 years since Václav Laurin and Václav Klement founded Skoda as a bicycle maker in 1895 – although we suspect neither of them would have dreamt up something like this in the Czech firm's future. Advertisement - Article continues below The pick-up is the result of 2,000 hours of work by 28 trainees at Skoda's Vocational School, and marks the first time the Superb has been used as the basis for a Student Car concept. The L&K 130 acknowledges Skoda's connection to bicycle manufacturing through its loading bay, which can store several bikes – ideal for supporting cycling events like the Tour de France, which Skoda will do once again this summer. To create the pick-up body, the students cut the Superb Estate's roof behind the C-pillar, as well as modifying the B-pillar and shortening the roof rails. There's also a new window behind the second row of seats, and the right rear door sits on a sliding mechanism so as to not obstruct cyclists during a race. The cargo bed even extends at the push of a button and tilts by up to 35 degrees to make it easier to load bikes into the back. The traditional L&K colours of red, white, gold and black can be found all over the cabin, along with a unique '130 years' logo on the seats and an 'L&K' logo in the middle of the steering wheel. To meet the needs of a professional cycling team, there's an extra display on the passenger side for race data, a radio for communication, and a cool box in the back. In another first for a Student Car, the L&K 130 is a plug-in hybrid. It uses the standard Superb PHEV's powertrain, so it's a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol mated to an electric motor for 201bhp. In the regular estate the 25.7kWh battery allows for up to 62 miles of electric running, but we expect the altered aerodynamics of the L&K 130 may reduce this somewhat. Tempted by a (normal) Skoda Superb of your own? Check out our latest Skoda Superb deals ...
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Football coach claims trial to sexually assaulting 2 students
The Kota Tinggi sessions court allowed the accused, a father of two, to post bail at RM20,000 on all four charges. (Facebook pic) KOTA TINGGI : A football coach pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to four counts of physical sexual assault against two of his trainees, who are students of a secondary school. Meor Azizi Zolkfle, 33, claimed trial when the charges were read out before judge Hayda Farizal Abu Hasan. He was charged with two counts of committing physical sexual assault on a 13-year-old teenager as a person in a position of trust to the victim. The offences were allegedly committed at the Bandar Penawar Stadium at 9.20pm on May 2. He was also charged with committing physical sexual assault on another trainee, also aged 13, at a sports shop in Felda Sening at 8pm on Nov 14. Meor also faces a charge of committing the same offence on the same victim at a school field at 7.50pm on May 2. The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read with Section 16(1) of the same Act. Section 14(a) carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and caning, while Section 16(1) provides for an additional jail term of up to five years and not less than two strokes of the cane. Deputy public prosecutor Foo Fang Leong appeared for the prosecution. The judge allowed the accused, a father of two, bail of RM20,000 on all charges and fixed July 17 for mention of the case.
CNA
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
MOM investigating allegations of companies misusing passes for hiring foreign students, trainees
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating allegations that companies are misusing a pass that permits employers to hire foreign students and intra-corporate trainees for up to three months. In response to queries from CNA, MOM said that it takes these claims of misuse of the Training Employment Pass (TEP) "seriously" and is already investigating the matter. It has also completed its investigations in some cases. CNA has asked the ministry what the outcomes of the completed investigations were. According to MOM, the TEP allows foreigners to undergo practical training for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs in Singapore. Companies can apply for this pass if they wish to hire a foreign student or a trainee from a foreign office or subsidiary. The ministry said that it does "additional checks and audits" on "selected" TEP applications, by asking for proof of training programmes and foreign offices or subsidiaries. To hire a foreign student, their training attachment in Singapore must be part of their course of study, and they must be studying at an "acceptable institution" or earn a "fixed monthly salary" of at least S$3,000 (US$2,330), said the ministry. To hire a trainee from a foreign office or subsidiary, they must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000. In an article titled "Management executives washing dishes" non-profit Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) posted on its website last month, it said that it had seen 13 workers on such passes between Dec 1 last year and Apr 26 this year. "We have never before seen so many workers on this kind of work pass in such a short time. Nearly all of them complained about salary irregularities, but at least one of them pointed to long working hours as his biggest problem," the article said. "However, when we found out more about the circumstances which led to their working in Singapore, we could see the contours of a rapidly widening job scam." According to TWC2, five of the individuals were sent to work in a food and beverage establishment, five in a warehouse, two at cleaning companies and one at a company described as a "tour coach agency". The men were paid less than what was stated in their in-principle agreements, worked "horrendous hours", would be put to work almost immediately upon arrival in Singapore and would not be sent to MOM for the mandatory step of the issuance of the TEP until nearly 30 days after arrival, alleged the non-profit. "MOM will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant employers who misuse TEPs to circumvent our work pass framework," the ministry added. "This includes suspending errant employers' work pass privileges, administering financial penalties or even prosecution depending on the severity of the breach. Affected workers may reach out to MOM for assistance."
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Jail time, fine await national service no-shows, trainees warned
The failure of trainees to report for national service training without a valid reason is a punishable offence. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The defence ministry has reminded individuals selected for the national service training programme (PLKN) that those who do not show up without a valid reason could be punished with jail time and a fine. The ministry's national service department said trainees must report to the PLKN camp by 12pm tomorrow, as stated in their call-up letters. 'Failure to report for duty without a valid reason, or evidence of health issues confirmed by a medical expert, is considered as defying orders,' it said in a statement. The department added that those who disobey orders can be punished under Section 18(1) of the National Service Training Act, which provides for a maximum RM3,000 fine, up to six months in prison, or both, if convicted. It added that inciting or persuading trainees to not show up for PLKN is also an offence under Section 19(2) of the Act, also punishable by a maximum fine of RM3,000, up to six months in prison, or both, upon conviction. Earlier this week, there were reports that 206 PLKN trainees failed to show up at their respective camps on Monday. They have until 12pm tomorrow to report in. Last Sunday, it was reported that male trainees are based at the 505 Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Pekan, Pahang, and female trainees at the 515 Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Kuala Lumpur. PLKN is being gradually reintroduced in its third iteration to foster patriotism, unity and personal resilience among Malaysian youth, while equipping them with the physical and mental fortitude to face life's challenges.
Japan Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
JR East to start training foreign nationals under new skills program
East Japan Railway (JR East) will launch training programs in the current fiscal year to March next year for foreign nationals seeking certification as specified skilled workers in railway maintenance. The training follows the addition of the railway sector in March 2024 to the list of eligible industries under Japan's specified skilled worker system, which is designed to secure work-ready personnel from overseas amid acute labor shortages. JR East is also encouraging other railway operators to join the initiative. On March 5, the company conducted trial training sessions for 25 trainees from Indonesia and Vietnam at its large-scale training center in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture. The training, which was open to the media, covered the three areas of rolling stock, tracks and electrical facilities. Participants learned about the mechanisms of train doors using a model and practiced operating an electrical device for switching tracks. The sessions were conducted in Japanese, occasionally involving complex technical terms. "We try to rephrase (technical language) into simpler Japanese as much as possible," one instructor explained. To obtain residency status in Japan as a specified skilled worker, trainees must pass an examination administered by an industry association. The training program, which lasts about four weeks, is designed to prepare participants for the exam. Those who successfully pass are expected to work primarily at partner companies of JR East starting this summer. "Railway services in my country are inconvenient, so I came here to learn and make a difference," Agis Hadi Rahayu, a 26-year-old trainee from Indonesia, said in Japanese. "I want to work as long as possible and become a professional engineer." JR East covers the cost of the training, including travel and accommodation expenses. "We hope to develop this into an open platform that helps secure human resources for the entire railway industry," said Naoyuki Sakaguchi, manager of the company's human resources development unit. JR East aims to train around 100 people each year, and more than 10 railway operators have already expressed interest in joining the initiative, according to Sakaguchi. The inclusion of the railway sector in Japan's specified foreign skilled worker system reflects a growing shortage of track maintenance engineers, a problem that has led to daytime train service suspensions and the rescheduling of last-train departures to allow for maintenance work. According to government estimates, the railway industry is projected to face a labor shortage of about 18,400 workers by fiscal 2028, largely due to difficulties in hiring young people amid the low national birth rate. To help address the shortfall, the industry plans to accept up to 3,800 specified skilled foreign workers. There are two types of residency status for specified skilled foreign workers in Japan: Type 1, which allows stays of up to five years, and Type 2, which has no time limit. Currently, only Type 1 is available for the railway sector. "Many people would be willing to take on the challenge if Type 2 status were available," Sakaguchi said, expressing hope that the railway industry will eventually become eligible for Type 2 to enable long-term employment. Those who complete a mid-level technical internship program are also eligible for certification as specified skilled foreign workers. In November last year, a Vietnamese woman who had worked as a technical intern at Surmit Kogyo, a railway vehicle manufacturer in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, became the first individual to be granted residency status as a specified skilled foreign worker in the railway industry. In the railway sector, specified skilled foreign workers will be welcomed not only for maintenance work and vehicle manufacturing but also for transportation roles such as conductors and drivers. Given a growing shortage of drivers, particularly among local railway operators, non-Japanese drivers with specified skills may take the controls in the future.
