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Key objectives of the Blueprint include doubling the number of STEM enrollment in schools, increasing STEM-related university and TVET output, and fostering more women in STEM.
Penang officially launched its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Blueprint on 8 September 2024, with the aim to build a long-term talent pipeline and support skill development in alignment with Malaysia's New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).
Per a press release by Invest Penang, the Blueprint aims to build a highly skilled and sustainable STEM workforce to position Penang for long-term success in an ever-evolving industrial and technological landscape.
Key objectives of the STEM Talent Blueprint include doubling the number of STEM enrollment in schools, increasing STEM-related university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) output, and fostering more women in STEM.
In order to achieve these targets, the Blueprint's framework focuses on five key elements for success: Ignite, Embed, Immerse, Embrace, and Enable, to drive success from primary to post-tertiary education.
In addition, the Blueprint also calls for federal policy changes to incentivise STEM and TVET through tax relief, opening STEM roles to international graduates, and encouraging corporate contributions to STEM education.
Launched by YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang at Tech Dome Penang, the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint aligns with one of the newly launched NSS headline targets, aiming to train and upskill 60,000 high-skilled Malaysian engineers.
With that, it was handed over to YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry to be incorporated into the NSS and supported by the part of the RM25bn allocated to operationalise the semiconductor strategies.
Chief Minister Chow expressed confidence that the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint will support the NSS’s goals, particularly its talent vertical pillar, by ensuring a steady influx of technical and engineering talent. This, it was highlighted, is crucial for meeting the NSS’s Phase I objective of attracting RM500bn in investments.
"For Penang in particular, it will help to address the prevailing talent gap issue which the country is now facing.”
Minister Zafrul shared: "MITI welcomes the Penang State Government’s STEM Talent Blueprint to develop a robust industrial talent pipeline, and towards the successful implementation of the NIMP 2030 and the NSS.
"This whole-of-nation effort is crucial not only in nurturing the right skilled talent to match industry needs, but also in informing our potential investors that Malaysia is serious about facilitating their investments and addressing their talent needs.
"In short, this STEM Talent Blueprint will pave the way for making Malaysia a regional manufacturing and services hub, enforcing our value proposition that Malaysia is where global starts," he added.
READ MORE: Malaysia unveils future skills framework to future-proof financial sector talent
Photo: InvestPenang
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