MORE Malays are coming forward to seek training to enhance their employability.

The Social Enterprise Network Singapore (Sense), Mendaki's training arm, which helps the Malay/Muslim workforce upgrade their skills, saw 5,400 training places filled up in the first half of this year, a 13 per cent jump compared to the same period last year.

This positive attitude towards training is one good thing that has come out of the current recession, said Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

Speaking to reporters at the opening of Mendaki Sense's second branch at Woodlands Community Centre on Wednesday morning, Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said more people are attending Sense's training programmes, 'even before they have lost their jobs'.

Some 80 per cent of the training places taken up during the first six months were occupied by those who are still employed.

However, he said that the recession has also significantly affected the financial situation of Malay families here.

He said: 'There is enough evidence to suggest that the Malay community is overstretched. They have extended themselves in terms of credit, buying homes beyond their means and then when they have to sell because they can't service the mortgage loan, there is a downward spiral effect.'

With Ramadan and Hari Raya approaching, he urged Malay families to exercise prudence in their spending, adding that he has asked the Family Development Network of the Community Leaders' Forum to look into programmes to help the community 'better manage their Hari Raya sending.'

This includes providing tips over the radio during the Ramadan period, he added.

Since the beginnning of this month, Mendaki Sense has also been appointed as a Continuing Education and Training Centre to provide the Certified Service Professional course to help people gain the requisite certification to work in service sectors. It aims to train 1,000 trainees within a year.