THE Penang Science Cluster (PSC) has initiated the Technical and Engineering Career Head Start (Tech Start) programme to address a critical shortage of technical talent in the state and also to help those from the B40 community.
PSC chief executive officer Ooi Peng Ee said the pilot programme is a collaboration with the Fourier TVET Center Sdn Bhd, ECM Libra Foundation and also the Penang government.
“The Tech Start programme is targetting 250 (Form 4 and Form 5) students from seven schools throughout Penang in our first phase.
“The schools are SMJK Heng Ee, SMJK Phor Tay, SMK Berapit, SMK Valdor, and SMK Methodist Nibong Tebal. The other two schools will be announced later as the selection process is still ongoing.
“Nevertheless, the students who are chosen are those from B40 families as we want them to be successful, just like other students from better family backgrounds,” Ooi said in his speech before Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched the Tech Start programme at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee in George Town today.
Explaining the programme, Ooi said while still in school, students will learn the foundations of engineering for three hours of hands-on workshops every week for 10 months in Form 4 and another 10 months in Form 5 conducted by a respected technical institute, Fourier.
“Fourier will then line up jobs with companies in the related industry to employ these students as trainee technicians right after their SPM examination.
“As trainee technicians, they will work full-time and get on-the-job training, earn a salary while studying on weekends for six months before undergoing an assessment. If they pass, they get a universally recognised certificate in engineering, thereby launching their technical career.
“So, students get a head start on their technical and engineering career after only six months after SPM.
“And these certificate holders can continue to work and upgrade their qualifications to Diploma and Bachelor’s degree if they so wish.
“These new technicians are highly sought after and will help to alleviate the severe shortage of technical talent in our industry in Penang nowadays,” he added.
Chow commended PSC for coming up with the Tech Start initiative to address the current talent shortage problem, especially in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector in Penang.
“The Tech Start programme addresses the problem we are facing in Penang in two ways.
“Firstly, Tech Start supports the existing industries and incoming companies in Penang by increasing the supply of technicians.
“Mr Ooi also has mentioned earlier that phase 1 of the Tech Start programme will involve 250 students, with an estimated 70% or 175 of these students joining our technical workforce and launching their technical careers with the industry in 2024.
“Secondly, Tech Start will enable students in the B40 category to start work as a trainee technicians in the industry immediately after their SPM examinations without having to wait for SPM results, thereby earning income for their families right after completing secondary school.
“Tech Start programme thus offers these students an opportunity to improve their family’s financial health quickly while pursuing a rewarding long-term technical career with industry,” said Chow.
Chow added that given the Penang’s 50 years of industrialisation this year, he is happy that initiatives like Tech Start will enable Penang to continue the successful industrialisation journey and have the centennial celebrations in another 50 years’ time.
“At the same time, I also would like to thank PSC. They have worked tirelessly to bring together the various parties, including Fourier TVET Center Sdn Bhd, ECM Libra Foundation and the state government, to create and sponsor this noble programme to benefit the state and our community,” he added.
Also present during the programme launching ceremony were Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong and Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis