A TOTAL of nine companies for now will be partnering with the state government to kick off the recently launched Penang Internship Subsidy Programme (PISP).
They are Ann Joo Steel Berhad, CG Solutions Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Greatech Integration (M) Sdn Bhd, Inari Technology Sdn Bhd, Infinecs System Sdn Bhd, Operion Ecommerce & Software Sdn Bhd, Skyechip Sdn Bhd, UWC Industrial Sdn Bhd and ViTrox Corporation Berhad.
Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon, the special investment adviser to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said through the programme, the state hopes to attract 150,000 knowledge workers over the next five years.
Lee said the state government stays committed to diversifying Penang’s talent pool through its various initiatives.
“A total of nine companies will be partnering with us in this programme.
“PISP offers a monthly wage subsidy amounting to RM300 per intern for a maximum period of six months when the companies recruit talent throughout 2022.
“We expect to attract a total of 30,000 skilled workers per year, making it to a total of 150,000 in five years,” Lee during a press conference held at Penang Skills Development Corporation today.
Under this subsidy programme, companies are required to pay a minimum allowance of RM1,200 per month to each recruited intern.
The state government will then reimburse RM300 per month for each intern (maximum RM1,800 each intern for a total period of six months) to the companies after interns have completed their internship programmes.
PISP is open for all SSM-registered companies and they must hire a minimum of three interns in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and accounting.
Lee said a total of 111 internship placements have been awarded to the nine local companies for the first batch of PISP.
According to Lee, the PISP would be instrumental in helping the small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
“This initiative will help enhance the ecosystem in Penang as we want to train the locals to support the local companies and the multinational companies (MNCs) here,” Lee added.
Meanwhile, the representatives from the participating companies thanked the state government for providing the opportunity via the programme.
Lee said that based on the data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), Penang’s investment inflows in 2021 which involved 111 projects would help to create 12,024 job opportunities in the state.
“We need more talents in Penang across all the fields,” he said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi