ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has welcomed the federal government's move to establish a secretariat aimed at addressing the skilled manpower shortage at Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).x
State Human Resources Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said the initiative is vital for the nation's and state's industrial growth and local community development.
"We welcome this initiative as there is a high demand in the industrial area. Kedah is on track for industrial growth, so we need a lot of support from the federal government.
"This announcement has come at the right time, allowing us to develop together," he said after launching the Northern Malaysia Entrepreneur Conference 2024 (NMEC 2024) at Wisma Darul Aman here today.
Present was state Malaysia Entrepreneurs Development Association liaison committee chairman Leonm Tang Kai Zhe.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the plan to set up the secretariat to coordinate skilled workforce needs of industries in KHTP, with decisions expected within two weeks.
Wong said state Higher Education, Industry and Investment Committee chairman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah would oversee the collaboration between federal and state agencies to boost technical and vocational education training (TVET) efforts.
"Haim will work closely with the federal government to ensure that the required manpower is developed through TVET training.
"We will collaborate with industrial plants and development efforts to achieve these goals," he said.
Wong also urged the federal government to approve TVET facility developments to further support workforce training.
On NMEC 2024, Wong said the conference, scheduled for Nov 9, will assist Kedah entrepreneurs in boosting their competitiveness in an increasingly complex market.
"Such programmes can generate new ideas and more effective approaches, which will have a positive impact on Kedah's economic growth and promote Kedah as an attractive investment destination," he added.