CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has stressed the need to develop talent in the engineering field and to keep talented engineering graduates in their field.
“Talent development is crucial for us to remain competitive in this era,” Chow said.
Addressing the need to keep fresh engineers intact in the industry, he said this group of people must remain in the field to ensure the flourishing of talent.
He said many of the graduates have nowadays decided to hop on to other working industry soon after completing their studies.
“It’s a pity if many of them decide not to remain in the engineering field but choose a career in other fields like insurance, marketing and even joining politics,” he said.
Chow was speaking after attending the special certification award ceremony of American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)-Usains Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) Inbase Programme at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Baru today.
Present were Amcham’s Malaysian American Electronics Industry (MAEI) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai, HRDF chief executive officer Elanjelian Venugopal and Usains chairman Tan Sri Siti Sa’diah Sheikh Bakir.
A total of 192 graduates from the latest batch successfully completed the programme which Chow hopes would be continued in the years to come.
It acts as a catalyst to boost the Electronic and Engineering (E&E) human capital in the state to rise up to value chain.
Chow noted that many from outstation, who came to the state to study, have gone back to their respective hometowns after completing the programme.
“That is why the state must promote its local foods to encourage more of them to stay put here,” Chow said in jest.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting