LABUAN: National service trainers will undergo new skills training this year following the deferment of the programme for 2015.
"What we can do in this one year is to prepare for PLKN 2.0. Our camp operators need to be given new skills and the adjustment to the new camps according to the transformation.
"It does not mean that they do not do anything this year," Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters at the airbase here.
He said discussions with stakeholders including trainers, camp operators and permanent staff would be held during a six-week lab next month.
"Whether camp operator or trainers, if they do not come during the lab they cannot blame anyone.
"The opportunity is during the lab and the rest of the year is to train the trainers. In January, we want to hit the ground running," he added.
The programme has been suspended as part of cost-cutting measures announced earlier by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, thus saving the nation RM400mil.