LAUNCHING OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
LAUNCHING OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
- PENANG STATE LEVEL
23 MAY 2023
A very good afternoon to all.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) for inviting me here today to launch the National Training Week 2023. This remarkable nationwide initiative aims to promote lifelong learning and equip Malaysians with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their careers and lives.
There is a famous proverb that goes, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." In short, this adage highlights the significance of coaching and learning as the pathway to lifelong success, and I must say, it resonates strongly with the essence of this initiative.
The importance of education, encompassing the acquisition of skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving, cannot be overstated, as it enhances productivity and leads to higher economic growth. This has been the formula for Penang’s successes, especially in the Electrical & Electronics (E&E) sector since the early 70s.
Accordingly, PSDC, established in 1989 with the support of the State Government, has been at the forefront of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) development in Penang, even before the term became common. They have provided reskilling and upskilling programmes to world-class multinational corporations, as well as small, medium, and large enterprises locally. It brings me great pleasure to learn that over a quarter-million participants have benefited from their classrooms since then.
Nevertheless, the current shortage of skilled workforce, necessitates new thinking and a concerted effort to enhance the pipeline of students and increase the capacity to supply more trained workers to the industry. Recognizing this, I have empowered InvestPenang to work with PSDC and other TVET providers to address this challenge and coordinate efforts among our different agencies and organisations across the state.
On this front, the Penang State Government has committed to sponsoring RM2 million for the German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) programme, which aims to upskill SPM school leavers and the existing workforce, equipping them with internationally recognized skills and competencies.
Through InvestPenang, we have also established the Penang GBS Industry Academy (PGIA) to build a stronger talent pipeline for the development of world-class digital and Global Business Services (GBS) expertise. This strategic move aims to enable Malaysia to better position itself as the ideal location for digital investments.
In addition to that, I must highlight the pivotal role that PSDC and Penang STEM play in supporting the talent development agenda of not only the Penang State Government, but also the Ministry of Human Resources. This includes their tireless efforts to raise awareness among people from all walks of life about the importance of training, particularly during this National Training Week.
Led by HRD Corp, it is all happening this week from 22nd to 26th May 2023, and will feature a variety of free training programmes which are designed to cater to the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries. Throughout the week, participating organizations across the country will offer a wide range of training programmes, covering technical and soft skills such as leadership, time management, and communication skills.
As a partner of HRD Corp, PSDC is offering three free and diverse training programmes for this initiate, namely Technical Drawing, Microsoft Excel (Intermediate-Advanced) 2016, and Healthy Habits, Happy Heart.
Since the beginning of the year, PSDC has already trained 3,671 participants through 202 training programmes. And during the National Training Week, I am pleased to hear that PSDC will conduct an additional 42 training programmes, expanding the opportunities for more individuals to acquire valuable skills.
Furthermore, I am thrilled to announce that following the National Training Week, PSDC will continue to collaborate with HRD Corp as the Northern Region Strategic Partner for the National Human Capital Conference & Exhibition (NHCCE) 2023.
This two-day event, with the theme "HR 5.0: The Next Evolution in Human Resource Development," will be held from the 31st of this month to 1st of June. It will bring together more than 20 industry speakers and 50 reputable exhibitors, providing a platform for exchanging knowledge and exploring the future of human resource development in line with our efforts.
Returning to today’s highlight, I am confident that this week’s National Training Week will be a resounding success. It is indeed an excellent opportunity for us all to come together and work towards building a more skilled and competitive Penang and Malaysia.
With that said, I would like to once again extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) for their invaluable contributions, as well as, to all the participants joining us in this important initiative. Let us embrace the power of lifelong learning and empower ourselves to thrive in an ever-changing world.
I wish you all a fruitful and rewarding National Training Week!
Thank you.