KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — The government aims to create 1,500 spa therapists by 2020 when the country’s spa industry is expected to contribute RM400 million to the gross national income.

The Tourism and Culture Ministry in a statement here said, under the National Key Economic Area (NKEA), it was also expected to generate 3,500 job opportunities by then.

“A total of 302 spa therapists have been commissioned via the spa therapy training programme introduced since 2012 while another 93 trainees are undergoing training at government-recognised Centres of Excellence (COE) up to April this year,” it said.

Apart from developing local skills, the programme, which is aimed at reducing dependence on foreign spa therapists, also complemented the Home Ministry’s decision to stop the hiring of foreign spa therapists effective from January 1 2017.

Those interested can make online application at the ministry’s website at www.motac.gov.my or contact the COE concerned and the selected candidate will be interviewed before accommodation is provided.

Upon completion of the 12-month programme, the trainee will be commissioned and assured of a job placement for two years at a three to five-star spa besides receiving the level three Malaysian Skills Certification from the Skills Development Department of the Human Resources Ministry. — Bernama