A NEW non-profit association, known as Persatuan Kebajikan 88 Captains, has been formed to help the state in terms of talent development.
Persatuan Kebajikan 88 Captains chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ooi Eng Hock said the association received the green light from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in April this year.
“The members of this association consist of leaders from various industries in Penang, such as manufacturing, technology, development, healthcare, tourism and hospitality. Others include those from professional services like lawyers, accountants, bankers and many more.
“The idea of setting up this association was brainstormed over a small discussion on talent development and sustainability among our members not long ago.
“As we know, it has been over the news that the state is currently lacking talent in various industries in Penang.
“So, based on that, we are eager to do something to help the industries and the society.
“After all, we realised that human talent must be appreciated and fully utilised to its full potential,” Dr Ooi said in his speech during the launching of the new association at Ascott Gurney Penang in George Town today.
The event was graced by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
Also present were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Persatuan Kebajikan 88 Captains adviser Datuk Ong Eng Bin.
According to Dr Ooi, Persatuan Kebajikan 88 Captains’ main objective is to focus on education and talent development in the state.
“Under this association, we will give financial aid to outstanding students from B40 families to further their study in tertiary education.
“At the same time, we will provide and arrange for internship placement for the students through our close cooperation with the various industries in Penang and local universities.
“And after they graduated, we will give them the employment opportunity so that they will start their career in Penang straightaway.
“So, this is more like a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative from us through this association to help talent development in the state,” he said.
Dr Ooi added that the association has managed to collect RM2 million of funds among its members for such initiatives.
“So, I believe this is a good start.
“After all, we believe that the more we give, then the more we will get in terms of happiness,” he said.
Chow commended Persatuan Kebajikan 88 Captains for coming up with such an initiative to help the state in talent development.
“I wish to commend the efforts by this association for taking up the challenge to come together and spearhead a long-term talent development programme that will benefit Penang.
“Many of the industry captains in this association have either a background in professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, or were educated in a field related to the industry of Penang.
“So, having such backgrounds would have provided our captains in this association with unique insights or a deep understanding of the existing opportunities and challenges facing our industries.
“The talent development programme, which we have just heard, will also complement the Penang government’s present initiatives and our Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Law Suun Ting