Latest news with #PepperLabs
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
SOCSO partners Pepper Labs to upskill jobless grads via Google Career Certs Scholarships
IN LINE with the Human Resources Ministry's mission to address youth unemployment and accelerate digital inclusion, the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and home-grown social impact enterprise Pepper Labs have teamed up under the Google Gemilang initiative. This pioneering collaboration marks another significant stride in Pepper Labs' decade-long journey of impact and nation-building through technology, innovation and strategic partnerships. Having empowered over 300,000 Malaysians with AI (artificial intelligence) fluency and future-ready digital skills, Pepper Labs now works closely with public sector stakeholders to integrate AI solutions into the transformation of governance and service delivery. This partnership exemplifies Pepper Labs' unique positioning as a trusted enabler of Malaysia's digital and socioeconomic agenda. Under the scholarship, unemployed Malaysian youth are offered fully sponsored scholarships to access globally recognised certifications in high-demand areas such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, project management and digital marketing curated by Google and delivered via The programme bridges the education-to-employment gap and supports the national goal to build a future-ready, digitally skilled workforce. Under the strategic direction of the Human Resources Ministry, SOCSO facilitates candidate identification through its MYFutureJobs platform and career fairs while Pepper Labs as the lead implementation partner, delivers end-to-end support, ranging from technical skills, 21st century skills, soft and living skills, future of works related skills to job placement support, thus ensuring graduates are well-positioned to secure meaningful employment. Digital pursuit 'Through this partnership between SOCSO and Pepper Labs, we're ensuring that unemployed graduates are not left behind in the digital transition,' enthused Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. 'This initiative is a testament to our belief in the potential of our young talent and our resolve to uplift them with meaningful, globally recognised opportunities.' As an entity recognised by the Government for its consistent impact-driven innovation, Pepper Labs was most recently recognised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2025 with a national commitment to establish community cloud kitchens across underserved communities, hence further expanding its role in inclusive job creation and local enterprise development. This tripartite collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nation-building, digital empowerment and inclusive economic recovery. By investing in human capital and fostering public-private partnerships, Malaysia moves one step closer to achieving its digital aspirations under the Malaysia MadanI vision. This pilot initiative sets the foundation for a scalable model that could benefit even more Malaysian youth in the future. The first group of participants began their training on May 26 with candidates identified through SOCSO's outreach efforts. While enrolment is currently by invitation, interested graduates may reach out to Pepper Labs at [email protected] to express interest and learn about future opportunities under this initiative. – Aug 6, 2025
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Socso, Pepper Labs team up to train youth in AI, digital skills
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has partnered with local social enterprise Pepper Labs under the Google Gemilang initiative to tackle youth unemployment and boost digital inclusion. The collaboration is part of Pepper Labs' ongoing efforts to drive impact and nation-building through technology and partnerships. Pepper Labs has helped over 300,000 Malaysians build artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills, and is now working with the public sector to bring AI into government services. Through this programme, unemployed Malaysian youth receive fully sponsored scholarships for globally recognised certifications in high-demand fields like AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, project management, and digital marketing. Socso identifies candidates via its MYFutureJobs platform and career fairs, while Pepper Labs leads implementation, offering full support including technical training, soft skills, and job placement to prepare graduates for meaningful employment. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the ministry is committed to empowering our youth with skills that match the demands of tomorrow's economy. "Through this partnership between Socso and Pepper Labs, we are ensuring that unemployed graduates are not left behind in the digital transition. "This initiative is a testament to our belief in the potential of our young talent and our resolve to uplift them with meaningful, globally recognised opportunities," he said in statement. Google Malaysia director Farhan Qureshi said the partnership reflects the commitment of Google to playing a vital role to ensure the growth of the country's digital ecosystem, advancing Malaysia together. He noted that the certification programme will provide new opportunities, allowing unemployment graduates to find new opportunities. Pepper Labs was most recently recognised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2025, with a national commitment to establish community cloud kitchens across underserved communities, further expanding its role in inclusive job creation and local enterprise development.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
10 more cloud kitchen participants in KL receive keys
Dr Zaliha (third from left) presenting one of the Dapur Digital participants with a mock key. — Courtesy photo TEN additional Dapur Digital (cloud kitchens) have been officially set up in Kuala Lumpur. Their number now stands at 15 as five were initially established at People's Housing Projects in February last year. Dapur Digital operates as a food preparation facility and economic hub, enabling micro-entrepreneurs to leverage technology to expand their market reach through digital platforms. Under Budget 2025, the government announced the setting up of 30 cloud kitchens to help lower income groups. Social enterprise Pepper Labs introduced the initiative jointly with the Prime Minister's Department, Finance Ministry, Yayasan Hasanah under Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Pepper Labs managing director Thanaselan Rajendran said the 10 new cloud kitchens were part of Phase I of the expansion plan. 'All 15 kitchens have started functioning,' he said at a handover ceremony at Menara DBKL 1. Thanaselan added that the five cloud kitchens established last year had successfully earned more than RM1.2mil in sales. 'This is the result of the firm collaboration between government agencies and entrepreneurs running the kitchens. 'We hope for more allocation to be given to this initiative in Budget 2026 to enable more kitchens to be set up. 'There are many PPRs in Kuala Lumpur and 15 kitchens are insufficient.' At the event, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa presented mock keys to the 10 new Dapur Digital participants. In her speech, Dr Zaliha asked Pepper Labs to help cloud kitchen entrepreneurs obtain halal certification from Malaysia Islamic Development Department. 'The halal industry has a big potential, given that it is projected to contribute up to 8.1% of Malaysia's gross domestic product this year,' she said. The export revenue of halal products is also expected to reach RM56bil this year. 'On a global level, it is also projected that the halal industry would expand to RM22.34 trillion by 2030. 'Hence, obtaining halal certification can really help these entrepreneurs expand their business,' she said.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Dapur Digital expands to 10 more PPR areas to uplift B40 communities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dapur Digital programme has expanded to 10 additional People's Housing Projects (PPR) and Public Housing (PA) areas in the Federal Territories, reinforcing its mission to uplift the B40 community. The initiative, now in its second year, has already demonstrated significant impact, with the first phase generating over RM1 million in sales across five PPR locations. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa highlighted the programme's success, noting its role in strengthening the local economy through public-private partnerships. Key collaborators include industry players, NGOs, and Pepper Labs, with additional backing from private firms and media partners. The newly added locations are PPR Seri Semarak, PPR Hiliran Ampang, PPR Seri Alam, PPR Raya Permai, PPR Kampung Muhibbah, PPR Taman Mulia, PPR Beringin, Pangsapuri Sentul Utama, PA Sri Kedah, and PA Seri Perlis II. 'This initiative under Usaha Jaya Insan not only offers culinary training but also equips participants with digital marketing and financial management skills,' Zaliha said during the 2025 Dapur Digital key presentation ceremony at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). The programme provides modern kitchen facilities, a food processing centre, an e-commerce hub, and lifelong learning opportunities. Additionally, it assists participants in securing essential certifications such as Halal approval from JAKIM, home-based food permits, and BeSS certification from the Ministry of Health. 'I've asked Pepper Labs to help participants obtain these certifications to expand their market reach,' Zaliha added. Latiff Abu Hassan, chairman of the PA Seri Perlis 2 Residents' Association, praised the initiative for creating income opportunities, particularly for single mothers and senior citizens. Dapur Digital, Malaysia's first public-private-philanthropic partnership of its kind, is supported by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Territories Department, DBKL, and Yayasan Hasanah. – Bernama
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Dapur Digital Programme Expands To Empower More B40 Communities
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa speaking at the 2025 Dapur Digital key presentation ceremony at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (middle) at the 2025 Dapur Digital key presentation ceremony at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) today. KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) – The Dapur Digital programme has been expanded to another 10 People's Housing Projects (PPR) and Public Housing (PA) areas in the Federal Territories, following its positive impact in empowering the B40 community as the initiative enters its second year. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the first phase of the initiative, implemented across five PPR areas, recorded over RM1 million in total sales last year. The new locations include PPR Seri Semarak, PPR Hiliran Ampang, PPR Seri Alam, PPR Raya Permai, PPR Kampung Muhibbah, PPR Taman Mulia, PPR Beringin, Pangsapuri Sentul Utara, PA Sri Kedah and PA Seri Perlis II. 'The initiative, under the Usaha Jaya Insan programme, is aimed at strengthening the local economy. It adopts a public-private partnership model involving industry players, non-governmental organisations and key implementation partner Pepper Labs, alongside support from private companies, media and others. 'This entrepreneurship platform not only provides culinary training but also equips participants with digital marketing and financial management skills. 'All training is conducted near the respective PPR communities,' she said after the 2025 Dapur Digital key presentation ceremony at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) today. Earlier in her speech, Zaliha said that in addition to modern kitchen facilities, the programme also provides a food processing centre, e-commerce hub, lifelong learning and skills training centre, as well as a platform for community activities. She added that the programme also guides participants in obtaining key certifications, including Halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the 'home-based food' certificate, and the BeSS certification from the Ministry of Health. 'I've asked Pepper Labs to assist participants in securing these certifications so they can grow their market presence and remain competitive,' she said.
