The Terengganu state is launching a program that will train single mothers to become skilled maids and competent domestic helpers.

The program will commence next year, 2009, with a pilot project starting in Seberang Takir, nearby the state capital, Kuala Terengganu.

With the inception of the program, the Terengganu government aims to capture the interest of local families and residents wishing to find domestic helpers, and offer them alternative option other than sourcing maids from overseas.

At the same time, it is an effort that would help those single mothers who seek to find additional income for their families.

Terengganu Skill Development Center, TESDEC will plan and develop the training modules. The state look to implement similar system like being done for Indonesian maids, and improve it to the next level.

Currently, majority of the maids in Malaysia are recruited from the neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia. Apart from low compensation cost, maids from Indonesia were found willing to serve for longer term. There has also been recent preference to hire maids from Myanmar and China but the rising cost and expenses has not made it a sensible solution.

Presently, Terengganu has one of the highest numbers of single mothers, with an estimation of over 20,000 throughout the eastern coast state.