Bridging technical talent demands

The Penang STEM focus group comprises Penang STEM, InvestPenang, Penang Science Cluster (PSC) and Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) conducted a three-month study from March to June this year to identify immediate and long-term solutions to bridge the demand and supply of technical talents.

The study was also held to understand the demand and supply of technical talents in mechatronics and precision machining, as well as to understand the underlining causes for the decline in student recruitments.

InvestPenang, in a statement recently, said Penang has attracted and recorded outstanding investment performances in 2019 and 2020.

“The state clocked up a total of RM31 billion manufacturing investments, out of which RM25.6 billion came from foreign direct investments (FDI) and the remaining were from domestic direct investments (DDI). The projects are expected to generate about 32,000 new job opportunities in Penang.

“The new investments and expansions of existing foreign and local companies have inevitably led to the escalating need for the supply of technically skilled workforce, particularly talents in mechatronics and precision machining,” the statement said.

InvestPenang said 30 institutions (industrial training institutes, vocational colleges, polytechnics, and private institutions) were identified for the three-month study.

“Three technical, vocational education and training (TVET) institutions were shortlisted and recommended based on the relevant courses offered, assessment of their training facilities and student capacities. The three TVET institutions were PSDC, Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI) and Fourier TVET Centre (FTC).

“The Walta Centre of Excellence (WCOE) has been identified for future participation as it is newly established,” InvestPenang said.

There were also challenges and recommendations identified in this TVET talent landscape.

“The lack of monetary attractiveness in terms of salary, the financial burden in supporting the students’ studies, and the overall lack of student interest in STEM at the school level are among the contributory factors to the decline in student enrolment.

“A two-phase approach to bridge technical talent demands was formulated to increase student enrolment via work-study TVET programmes. The students can earn while studying. In addition, several measures were proposed to increase the maximum capacity to meet the projected five-year demands,” InvestPenang said.

InvestPenang also led a webinar with industry players, PSDC, JMTI, FTC and PSC recently to discuss about the Penang TVET talent landscape.

During the webinar, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian shared key insights, focusing on the supply and demand over the next five years, and the calibrated proposed solutions in elevating student enrollment.

Story by Christopher Tan

Pix courtesy of InvestPenang