Initiative to develop skilled workforce

Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) has introduced its Academy in Industry programme as part of efforts to improve local workforce capabilities and meet industry requirements in Johor.

MPC Southern Region director Mohd Azwan Mohd Salleh said the initiative represented a groundbreaking partnership between industry players, educational institutions and government bodies.

“The programme’s primary goal is to elevate educational standards in the country, reduce reliance on foreign labour and bridge the skills gap in the industry.

“The initiative also aligns with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review objective, which aims for a 35% increase in the number of skilled workers across diverse sectors by 2025.

“As of December 2023, there are only 29.6% skilled workers out of 15.4 million workers in Malaysia,” he said when contacted.

Mohd Azwan added that this programme was based on a place-and-train concept.

“The initiative gives our youth an opportunity to get skills certification while in employment,” he said.

“This work-based learning programme enables young people to work in technical fields and at the same time, obtain a skills certificate, which can be used to further their career.”

Mohd Azwan said the initiative would be able to help reduce the unemployment rate and increase the education level among Malaysians.

“We hope that in the long run, the programme is able to develop a skilled workforce, which translates into higher wages and salaries for workers.

“This is a progressive step in ensuring that local industry talent always stays relevant and competitive while helping to reduce dependency on low-skilled foreign workers, especially in the manufacturing sector,” he explained.

MPC was also identifying companies with the potential to become strategic partners for the initiative to accelerate local talent development, he said.

Mohd Azwan added that MPC along with Iskandar Regional Development Authority had organised the Iskandar Malaysia Productivity Outlook (IMPRO2024) programme.

“The programme saw 109 participants representing various industries in Johor.

“We focused on the importance of having skilled workforce development and the adoption of technology in driving industrial productivity.”

Source : The Star