A TOTAL of 130 mentees will take part in the Dell Technologies Malaysia’s MentorConnect, an inter-company networking programme, this year.
These mentees, who are staff members from 16 participating companies, will be assigned to different mentors under the programme that was initiated by Dell a few years ago.
Dell Technologies Malaysia managing director Pang Yee Beng said the aim of the programme was to harness the power of company-to-company relations as well as to inspire and empower team members.
“Participating companies will elect one mentor each and several mentees for the programme. The mentees then will be assigned to different mentors across the participating companies.
“For this year’s programme, the mentors are senior representatives from 16 participating companies with 130 mentees participating.
“And hopefully through this yearly programme, it can sharpen their leadership skills, broaden their network, and develop knowledge and understanding of diverse perspectives,” Pang said.
State Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, who was present to officiate the opening ceremony of the Dell Technologies Malaysia’s MentorConnect 2022, said the state government was committed to deepening its talent pool.
“Penang aspires to attract 150,000 knowledge workers over the next five years to meet the heightened industrial demand.
“We’re committed to broadening the talent pool through a variety of initiatives that are critical to attracting strategic investments and continuously bolster Penang’s conducive environment for talent.
“We expect to attract a total of 30,000 skilled workers per year, making it to a total of 150,000 in five years,” Abdul Halim said in his speech.
He cited the Penang Internship Subsidy Programme (PISP) that was launched by the state government on Feb 18 this year.
Under this subsidy programme, companies are required to pay a minimum allowance of RM1,200 per month to each recruited intern.
The state government will then reimburse RM300 per month for each intern (maximum RM1,800 each intern for a total period of six months) to the companies after interns have completed their internship programmes.
Abdul Halim added that the state has also introduced the Penang Future Foundation (PFF), a scholarship programme for qualified Penangites, and the Penang Career Assistance and Talent Centre to match job seekers and employers.
In addition, he said the state government is also giving priority to qualified talents for affordable housing.
Also present were Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and PSDC chief executive officer Tan Eng Tong.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting