THE Second Chance Programme is the brainchild of Putera Umno as a way to counter social ills.

Initiated by Putera Umno chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim two years ago, it is a programme targeted at those aged between 18 and 25 who did not have the opportunity to pursue their education.

"My job is to reach out to this group of youngsters and many Mat Rempit fall in this category," said Azeez.

The programme, funded by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry, provides free education and working opportunities to the targeted youth.

"We want to help the unemployed and unskilled youth who work at petty jobs, including pump operators in petrol stations," said Azeez.
The programme offers 10 technical modules, including automotive, hotel management, wood carving, nursing, paramedic and computers. The courses are conducted jointly with 44 private training centres.

"We offer technical courses to attract the attention of our targeted group as those in the group are more interested in technical-based training.

"Even if they do not have the required academic qualification, we will still place them in colleges," Azeez said.

Putera Umno has so far gone to 17 parliamentary constituencies to register participants and its target is to visit all 191 parliamentary areas to register an estimated 15,000 youths.

So far, about 3,000 youths are pursuing various courses while some have graduated. Mat Rempit make up about 80 per cent.

"We work through the residents' associations and Pemuda Umno division heads," Azeez said.

With the existence of the Putera Umno Second Chance programme, he said there should no longer be an excuse for troubled youth not to turn over a new leaf.

"Before, nobody approached the Mat Rempit but now, a number of them have changed for the better because they have been given a chance to improve their lives."