ISKANDAR PUTERI: The purpose of setting up Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) is to attract and retain the best local talent, says state executive councillor Lee Ting Han.
The Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman said JTDC would be the main platform in implementing all various human capital development programs in the state.
“This also includes the Johor skills training programme (Pro-Mahir) but with a more targeted focus in making the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) initiative a success.
“Since being introduced in 2018, the Pro-Mahir programme has successfully trained 3,500 participants with an allocation of RM17mil,” he said during the state assembly meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here on Tuesday (Nov 26).
Lee said this in his reply to Mohd Yusla Ismail (BN-Senggarang), Hasrunizah Hassan (BN-Pulai Sebatang) and Datuk Seri Hasni Mohamad (BN-Benut) who asked about the state government’s plan in strengthening local talent for JS-SEZ.
He added in addition to providing technical training, the Pro-Mahir programme also emphasised development of soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and solutions to ensure that the participants become versatile workers.
Lee also said that the state government plans to expand such initiative through JTDC with an allocation of RM20mil approved by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the launch of the council earlier this month.
He added the fund would be channeled through HRD Corp, an entity responsible for workforce development management, to ensure the implementation of training programmes and skills improvement can be carried out holistically and effectively.
Lee said JTDC would conduct a study and analysis of industry needs in JS-SEZ to ensure that the training programmes offered were in line with market demand.
“The main agenda under JTDC is to ensure that employment opportunities offered by industry players in Johor are not only sufficient, but also of high quality with a competitive salary package and comprehensive benefits.
“This aims to attract and retain the best talents, as well as ensure local workforce in Johor meets global standards,” he said, adding that such initiative was expected to have a great impact on the state’s economic development by ensuring locals were directly benefiting from the rapid development in JS-SEZ.
Lee also said that JTDC also plays a role in reducing the unemployment rate, increasing household income, and strengthening Johor's competitiveness as a hub for developed economy at the national and international level.
“JTDC will act as a consultant, which connects the best talent, including outstanding graduates from higher education institutions, with career opportunities that offer a minimum salary between RM4,000 to RM5,000 per month.
“This step not only provides job opportunities which are of high value, but also helps increase the competitiveness of the local workforce in facing global challenges,” he added.
Lee said through these initiatives, the state government was confident of being able to prepare and empower local talent to take advantage of job opportunities created through JS-SEZ, especially in the field of technology and innovation.
