Entrepreneurial insights for youth

Mohd Zamree urges youths to be resilient against economic challenges.

TWENTY youths aged 18 to 24 completed a six-month training programme aimed at turning them into small-scale entrepreneurs.

Under the initiative, participants learned all about financial and human resources management, as well as soft skills.

It included sharing sessions with industry experts to give the know-how and motivation to the budding business owners.

They were the first batch of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (CGC100) that ran from last October to March this year.

The programme was a collaboration between the Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) and Pintar Foundation of the Education Ministry.

Pintar Foundation general manager Norzalina Masom said the initiative’s objective was to develop Malaysian youths into competent business owners.

“Through this programme, participants received training in seven modules designed to instil the right mindset and work ethic.

“Hopefully, the exposure will help them launch their venture to national and international markets in future,” she said.

Norzalina also hoped the programme would equip the youths with the right skills for post-Covid-19 economy.

“Those with a background in gig economy and IT sector will become a valuable asset to Malaysia’s economy,” she said at INCEIF University in Kuala Lumpur, during a ceremony to present certificate to the 20 participants.

Also at the event were 30 new participants in the second batch, which will run for one year starting later this month.

CGC chairman Datuk Mohammed Hussein presented the certificates with INCEIF deputy president operations Dr Muhammad Syahmi Mohd Karim.

CGC president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak said youths must cultivate resilience against economic challenges.

“Gig economy is poised to become a major contributor to Malaysia’s growth. Seize this opportunity and make the most of it,” he added.

Mohd Irsyaduddin Abdul Sutrin, who was among the first batch, said the programme helped him improve his communication skills.

The 24-year-old from Kuala Penyu, Sabah, hoped to expand his air-conditioning service business to provide more jobs to the locals.

“Many young Sabahans have to migrate in search of job opportunities. I hope to change that and create jobs locally for them,” he said.

Chong Jia Kiuk, 23, from Dungun in Terengganu, enjoyed the opportunity to exchange ideas with entrepreneurs of his age group.

“We also got help in mapping out our short and long-term plans,” he said, adding that he gained more confidence to run his online business.

Aliyya Nursarah Mohammad Azwan, 21, said she received insight into responsible environmental, social and corporate governance practices.

She currently runs a business selling clothes and school uniforms in Shah Alam, Selangor, and hoped to expand it nationwide.

“I plan to be involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives to provide uniforms at affordable prices,” she added.