Bernama , 1st March 2016 By Munirah Mustapar

SERI ISKANDAR (Perak), March 1 (Bernama) -- Airul Firham Che Amran, the proud owner of the newly-opened 'The True SI Barber' shop here, is a cut above ordinary hairdressers. After the country's 12th attempt since 1993, Roy, as he is fondly known, became the first Malaysian to go up the podium and win a prize in the hairdressing catergory. The 22-year-old bagged a bronze medal at the World Skills Competition (WSC) held in Sao Paolo, Brazil last year. The Arau, Perlis-born Airul Firham won the medal, jointly with participants from South Korea and Chinese Taipei for the event in which China's contestant won the gold medal while a French participant took the silver.

The former student of the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Peretak, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor was also named recipient of the 'Best of Nation' which recognised the best participant for each competing country. His success story has also proved the effectiveness of the SkillsMalaysia programme, organised by the Skills Development Department (JPK) in producing individuals who can excel at international level. Expressing appreciation to JPK, Roy described the agency under the human resources ministry as a driving force which had been providing him and other young Malaysians the impetus to possess high skills in all fields.

"Within a month, JPK visits me twice or thrice to monitor my progress which always makes me eager to work harder and produce something to be proud of," he said. He hoped more youths would follow his footsteps to join the programme which was seen as a key to a bright future, especially for young people who wanted to gain skills in various fields. "Through SkillsMalaysia, we can go further up the international level," said Roy.

JPK director-general Datuk Pang Chau Leong said Roy's success boosted confidence among the public that the country's skills training programme was worldclass. "With their high skills, youth who have been trained, given exposure and experience will meet the needs of the market, as well as have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs," he told Bernama recently.

-- BERNAMA