THE Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), through its technology and innovation hub, NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC), has collaborated with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Centre (CREST) through a virtual ceremony today.
The collaboration will see the development of high-skilled local talents to meet the demands of the industry in Penang and the Northern Corridor Economic region (NCER).
With the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between NCIA and USM, the Professional Excellence Programme (PreX) was launched to enhance talent marketability.
“The programme is developed by combining academic and industry inputs on the needs and expectations of the industry, industry professional assessment and employability.
“PreX is created to support the growth and demands of the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0). The industry players that will be participating in the programme are Sophic Automation Sdn Bhd, Elliance Sdn Bhd and Miyazu Malaysia Sdn Bhd,” a media statement read.
The statement also stated that PreX is aligned to the Advanced technology Meister Programme (ATMP) initiative under the NTIC.
Meanwhile, the MoC between NCIA and CREST would see collaborations with world-renowned multinational companies such as Intel Microelectronics (M) Sdn Bhd and Motorola Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd, and with local technology companies such as Orionplex Sdn Bhd, Exiatec Technology Sdn Bhd and Sensoft Technologies Sdn Bhd.
It is understood that USM would be the upskilling institution to create high-skilled talents in software engineering disciplines to support the demands of the industry players in Penang and within the NCER.
The virtual ceremony today also saw the launching of the Engineering Software Talent Programme (EnSofT).
EnSofT is aimed at addressing the engineering software talent gap (in the fields of embedded system, android applications, and embedded android operating system). It will be a catalyst to other types of high-end training programmes to produce industry-relevant talents.
Before the end of the virtual ceremony, the handing over of Northern Corridor Economic Region Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP@NCER) Letter of Award (LOA) to UST Global (M) Sdn Bhd was held and witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“Through NTEP, UST Global would provide new job opportunities to 70 graduates in the areas of software and hardware engineering as well as product development, infrastructure and system engineering,” the media statement read.
A Letter of Award for the JomKerja@NCER Programme was also presented to TF AMD Microelectronics Sdn Bhd.
It was stated that the company, through the JomKerja@NCER application, would hire 840 new local employees comprising 35 technicians and 805 manufacturing specialists in semiconductor assembly.
“This is a testament that the manufacturing industry and business markets are confident with Penang’s ability to rebound from its current post-pandemic situation,” the statement said.
Chow said the NCIA, in collaboration with the Penang and Federal Governments, has continuously enhanced Penang’s attractiveness to draw investors in the Electrical and Electronics (E&E), and the Manufacturing and Engineering (M&E) sectors.
“Penang continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the region for advanced technology, and a high-value talent and technology hub.
“With more than 300 multinational companies that have already established operations in the state, there is an inherent need for more high-skilled talent to address the demands from the industry.
“We are fortunate that Penang has an abundant supply of fresh graduates that the industry can tap into,” Chow said.
He added that Penang’s position as the Silicon Valley of the East could be further strengthened by upskilling and enhancing the quality of its graduates through the initiatives that were being introduced by NCIA.
“I am excited to see the results of these initiatives in the coming future,” he said.
Among those present were Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, Penang Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Senior Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Rakon, NCIA chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John, CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim, and USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian