Johor is celebrating a milestone in education and youth empowerment with the graduation of the first batch of Akademi Dalam Industri (ADi) apprentices. A total of 22 Johor youths from B40 families proudly received their scrolls on 9 September 2025 at Kompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar, Yayasan Warisan Johor.
The ceremony was officiated by YB Tuan Aznan bin Tamin, Chairman of the Johor State Education and Information Committee, and attended by distinguished leaders including Zaidatul Zurita Abdul Rahman, CEO of Yayasan JCorp; Dr Sharifah Musainah Syed Alwi, Chief People Officer of QSR Brands; Nor Asmah Daud, Director of the Department of Skills Development (Southern Region); and Ali@Zainalabidin Syed Mohamed, Deputy Director of Planning & Management, Johor State Education Department.
What is ADi?
Launched in 2023, ADi is a pioneering programme designed to bridge education with real-world industry experience. A collaboration between Yayasan JCorp, Johor State Education Department, QSR Stores Sdn Bhd and the Department of Skills Development, ADi combines academic learning with hands-on training in industries such as QSR (KFC restaurants) and KPJ Healthcare Berhad.
The goal is clear: to open pathways for underprivileged youths to access vocational training, boost employability and unlock opportunities for higher education. By equipping students with SKM Level 2 & 3 certification, SPM, MPAK, and real workplace exposure, ADi nurtures a generation of future-ready talents aligned with Johor’s and Malaysia’s vision of a skilled workforce.
Objectives of the ADi Programme
- Expand access: Provide underprivileged youths with pathways to vocational training, employment and higher education.
- Build industry relevance: Combine classroom learning with hands-on experience to strengthen employability.
- Future-proof talent: Develop youths who are job-ready and aligned with Malaysia’s long-term human capital aspirations.
The Impacts So Far
In just three years, ADi has transformed lives and created measurable impact:
- 22 graduates proudly make up the first ADi cohort (2025).
- 99% SPM pass rate, 100% MPAK pass rate, and all graduates obtained SKM Level 2 & 3 certification, with one student achieving straight A’s in SPM.
- 89 students trained between 2023 and 2025: 25 in 2023, 38 in 2024 and 26 in 2025 of these, 16 trained under QSR and 10 under KPJ Healthcare Berhad.
- Every participant benefitted from blended learning that combined structured classroom knowledge with real-world industry practice.
Shaping a Brighter Future
As these 22 graduates step into the workforce, they represent more than just academic success. They embody resilience, opportunity and hope for Johor’s youth. For their families, the achievement signifies the breaking of barriers and the start of a brighter tomorrow.
ADi is more than a programme. It is a movement to empower the next generation of skilled Malaysians. With its growing track record and expanding partnerships, the initiative is well on its way to shaping Johor’s youth into the leaders and professionals of the future.