Latest news with #IndustrialSkillsTrainingProgramme
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
M'sia must focus on building economic resilience through youth expertise, says Anwar
Anwar speaking during the employment opportunities and presentation of PLKI-ECRL's offer letters ceremony for the ECRL operation and maintenance (O&M) phase today. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Malaysia must build domestic economic resilience by enhancing knowledge and expertise among youths to better face global challenges, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He said this approach is crucial to enable the nation to rely on its capabilities, ensuring greater stability and security amid global economic uncertainties. 'We must first strengthen from within… our domestic economic resilience. Although we use foreign technologies, we must seek new methods, and this depends on our young people. 'With clear policies, it means we rely more on our abilities, to revitalise local businesses, management and expertise,' he said at the launch of the employment opportunities and presentation of PLKI-ECRL's offer letters ceremony for the ECRL operation and maintenance (O&M) phase here today. Anwar urged young Malaysians given opportunities to study and train abroad to remain disciplined and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to become a better generation. Anwar highlighted Malaysia's growing prominence in the global semiconductor industry and credited local expertise as a key factor driving foreign investment into the country. Citing the semiconductor sector as a model of how domestic capabilities can attract international players, Anwar shared that Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) — one of the world's largest semiconductor companies — has expressed its intention to establish advanced packaging and design operations in Penang and Cyberjaya. 'Malaysia is not falling behind in the semiconductor space, though much of our capability is currently focused on the back-end manufacturing process,' Anwar said. '(In my meeting with the company), I immediately welcomed their interest as this means our young talents will be trained and empowered in fields such as semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence and packaging advanced design, placing us at the front end of the industry,' he said. The prime minister said a similar approach should also be adopted by the country's energy industry, such as solar energy, following the United States' recent imposition of tariffs on China. 'The United States has imposed high tariffs on any solar production that is based in China or operated by Chinese companies. 'So, are we just going to give up without taking advantage of this situation? We must be prepared to take action by using locally produced solar panels on our buildings, whether they are government or private, schools or hospitals,' he said. At the event, Anwar also presented offer letters to several trainees who will undergo a one-year intensive training programme in Liuzhou, China, under the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI). The first group, consisting of 102 individuals, is scheduled to depart for China in stages from May 15. – Bernama anwar ibrahim domestic economic resilience ECRL lead tariffs
Free Malaysia Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
1,800 workers needed when ECRL begins operations in 2027, says Loke
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the ECRL, which spans four states, has reached an overall construction progress of 82.45% as of April. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : About 1,800 workers will be needed when the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) begins operating in January 2027, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said today. Loke, whose ministry oversees the RM50.3 billion project, said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) had set a requirement that at least 80% of this workforce must be Malaysian. 'These workers will come from various skill levels, including both experienced and new workers, to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the ECRL,' he said at the launch of the job opportunities initiative for the ECRL operations & maintenance (O&M) phase. He said the event marked another key milestone for the project as the O&M phase would see new local talent developed through the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme. He said the programme aimed to provide training and employment opportunities for a total of 3,200 people over the years. 'For a start, 210 Malaysian trainees from diverse backgrounds will be sent to Liuzhou, China, this year for a one-year intensive training,' he added. The first group of 102 trainees is scheduled to depart in stages beginning May 15. These trainees, who will cover both technical and non-technical fields, will undergo comprehensive training that includes theoretical lessons and hands-on experience in railway system operations. This is aimed at developing skilled workers for positions such as assistant station attendants, signalling technicians, assistant train drivers and overhead line technicians, among others. 'What's even more encouraging is that trainees in this programme are guaranteed employment with the ECRL upon completing their training,' Loke said. He also revealed that the ECRL, which spans four states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor – had reached an overall construction progress of 82.45% as of April.
