FOUR human capital and entrepreneurship development programmes have been launched to cut poverty, especially in the B40 community in Penang.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four initiatives were from the collaboration between the state and the Federal Government, through the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).
“The four programmes are empowerNCER, entrepreneurNCER, NCER Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP) and Bumiputera Facilitation Fund (DMB). These programmes can help to boost the people’s income by providing more job opportunities in the state.
“These programmes will also focus on youths, women, single mothers, micro entrepreneurs and those who are unemployed that falls under the B40 category,” Chow said in his speech before launching the Human Capital Programmes: Encouraging Prosperity, Empowering the People at Politeknik Seberang Perai in Permatang Pauh today.
Chow said for the empowerNCER programme, it was aimed at providing participants thorough basic skills and entrepreneurship training in various fields such as spas, sewing, culinary, graphic design and photography.
“The phase one of the recruitment process is currently in progress and it will involve 200 participants from the B40 community, with the help from the Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) from central Seberang Perai.
“While phase two will be carried on to another four districts in the state.
“Apart from that, another component under the empowerNCER programme will be focusing on 400 students from the B40 group. The students will be provided with tuition classes to prepare them for the main examinations such as UPSR, PT3 and SPM.
“The program is scheduled to start in January next year,” he said.
As for entrepreneurNCER programme, he said it would focus on helping micro, small and medium enterprises by giving them entrepreneurial training.
“For this purpose, NCER has developed strategic cooperations with Agrobank and Maybank to assist in terms of financial aids and guidance for the entrepreneurNCER participants. Until now, 28 applications have been received.
“Meanwhile, NTEP participants will be given work skills training to ensure a sufficient workforce meets the needs of the industry in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
“It will also increase the job opportunities.
“As of October end this year, the joint collaboration with 18 companies in Penang has invested RM6.1 billion and has created 6,325 job opportunities; thus helped resolved the issue of unemployed graduates,” Chow added.
Through the DMB programme, Chow said it would support Bumiputera entrepreneurs in terms of financing to serve as a catalyst for companies in their implementation of high impact projects.
“Hopefully, these initiatives can ensure that no one is left out from the progress of development in the state,” he said.
Also present were state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, NCIA chief executive Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud