INDUSTRIES should invest in good working environment to retain talent.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said while salary is an important factor to keep these skilled workers, providing a good working environment is equally important.
“Industries need to constantly work hard to retain talent. The Penang government and the Federal Government, through government agencies and institutions, are assisting the industries via several key programmes and initiatives.
“We have the Penang Career Assistance and Talent (CAT) Centre to attract and retain talent in Penang.
“We also have the Penang Future Foundation scholarship programme to stem the tide of brain drain.
“Besides that, the state encourages the young to take up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education,” he said during the ‘Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) Engagement Session and Industry Dialogue’ at PSDC today.
In his speech, Chow thanked PSDC and the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) for initiating the engagement session and industry dialogue.
“This is the second engagement held this year. Penang recognises the importance of talent development in sustaining and accelerating the state’s economic growth.
“As such, PSDC and the state government have been actively involved in driving the GDVT programme since the initial stages.
“We are currently funding RM3,000 per apprentice for the Skills Diploma level, and an additional RM1,000 per apprentice for the Advance Skills Diploma level.
“The Penang government is also providing financial provision for marketing and promotional activities to raise awareness and promote GDVT to school students,” Chow said.
He encouraged companies to capitalise on the availability of GDVT and consider its benefits.
“The Penang government is committed to work with the industry and all stakeholders to make GDVT a success; and to support your talent development needs,” he added.
PSDC chief executive officer Muhamed Ali Hajah Mydin commended 11 GDVT host companies and thanked them for supporting and training the 140 apprentices (from 2015 until this year).
He also thanked the Penang government for its support to grow the GDVT programme.
Also present were Federal Republic of Germany Ambassador Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff, Federal Republic of Germany honorary consul Datuk Hans Peter Brenner, Canada honorary consul Datuk Tan Yew Thong, MGCC executive director Daniel Bernbeck, PSDC management council vice-chairman Lau Kean Cheong and Department of Skills Development director-general Nidzam Kamarulzaman.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng