GEORGE TOWN — The Penang government launched its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Talent Blueprint today, aimed at meeting the state’s needs for skilled workers.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the blueprint here, said while Penang continued to chart record-breaking investments and manufacturing exports, there is still a crucial need to address industries’ demand for technical and engineering talent.
Chow said the blueprint will contribute towards the goals of the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 as well as the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to ensure a steady flow of technical and engineering talents for industrial needs to meet a key objective of attracting at least RM500 billion of investments.
The chief minister also said that a projected annual funding of RM49.5 million is needed for various programmes and initiatives under the blueprint over the next six years until 2030.
Therefore, the state is proposing a “tripartite funding model” from the state, federal government and the industry, he said.
“I strongly believe that this proposal in the blueprint can be a model to be replicated in other states in which Penang will be willing to share out expertise and experiences,” said Chow at the launch at TechDome Komtar, here, tonight.
The blueprint was developed by a state government committee comprising InvestPenang, Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), think tank Penang Institute, and several tech companies such as Motorola Solutions, Pentamaster, Intel and Skyechip.
It adopts the “2X strategy” which includes targets such as doubling the number of STEM enrolment in secondary schools, university output for STEM, STEM-related technical and vocational education and training (TVET) output, girls’ enrolment in STEM field and doubling the number of high-value jobs.
The ceremony tonight was attended by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
In his speech, Tengku Zafrul announced that the blueprint will be incorporated into the NSS and be supported by a portion of the RM25 billion allocated in the NSS for the country’s semiconductor industry.
The minister said that the integration underscores Putrajaya’s commitment to making Malaysia a regional manufacturing and services hub.
Tengku Zafrul also praised the blueprint as a visionary initiative that would help the country in building a sustainable and competitive workforce that would be capable of driving the country’s economic growth in the future.
The minister said STEM and TVET education are important in creating a “future-ready workforce”.
However, STEM education has been perceived as difficult while TVET education has been subjected to stigmatisation where it is perceived as “second-class education”, which he said is far from the truth
“TVET graduates are highly sought after in industries like semiconductors and electronics, where practical skills and technical expertise are in high demand,” Zafrul said. – September 8, 2024