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Tourism Ministry Launches Spa Therapist Training Programme

PUTRAJAYA: In recognition of the growing importance of spa's in the leisure and travel industry in Malaysia, the Ministry of Tourism has embarked on a 6-month specialised training programme for young Malaysians keen to be trained as professional spa therapists.

"More and more tourists look to pamper themselves at spas whilst on holidays It is a norm now for potential guests to call and ask if there is a spa in the hotel before they confirm their room bookings," said Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen at the launching of the Centre of Excellence (COE) Spa Training Programme here today.

Under the Tourism NKEA, a Spa EPP has also been identified which signifies its importance and potential to contribute about RM666.2 million in Gross National Income and to create 5,644 jobs. In 2011, the spa industry generated RM20.7 million revenue and the target set for 2012 is RM22 million.

As of 31 January, 2012, the Tourism Ministry's Licensing Division has rated 88 spas out of which 34 are 5-star (38.6%); 34 (38.6%) are 4-star; and 10 (11.4%) are 3-star. The rest are below 3 star rating.

The spa industry in Malaysia is facing a critical shortage of locally trained spa therapists and the intake of foreign workers for this sub-sector has been frozen. It is estimated that the current existing spas are in need of over 600 spa therapists in order to operate at an optimal level.

Currently, under the Ministry of Home Affairs 6P programme, spa operators are allowed to take in illegal foreign workers (PATI) who have been registered under this programme as spa therapists for a 2-year period.

The Ministry of Tourism has endorsed the application of 66 spa operators for the intake of 257 PATI. The majority of them are from Thailand and Indonesia. Most of these PATI have already worked with spa operators before and therefore have been 'trained'.

Upon completion of this specially tailored training programme, candidates can be immediately hired by the established spas operating in Malaysia. This training programme is an interim measure to meet the increasing demand for trained spa therapists. It is also hoped that through this training programme more Malaysians would consider taking up a career as spa therapists.

The 6-month training programme to be conducted at COE Spa Training Centres in Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Petaling Jaya costs an average of RM7,000.00 per participant. Trainees will be paid a minimum allowance of RM500 with meals, accommodation and transportation provided. Applicants from families with household income of less than RM3000 per month will be fully funded for the course.

Application forms for Spa Trainees are available from the Industrial Development Division of the Ministry of Tourism.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, MALAYSIA
22 March 2012

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