KESUMA Teams Up with Education Ministry to Boost STEM Interest and Drive Student Participation

His Excellency, Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Governor of Penang State with  YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA), and (from left) Thomas Mathew, TalentCorp Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohd Khuzzan bin Abu Bakar, Deputy Chairman of the TalentCorp Board of Directors, YBhg. Datuk Azman bin Mohd. Yusof, Chief Secretary of KESUMA, YB Dato' Hj. Rashidi bin Zinol, Penang Exco, YBhg. Dato' Hj Abdul Said bin Hussain, Director of Penang Education, and Ybrs. Associate Professor Dato' Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed, USM Deputy Vice Chancellor.

NIBONG TEBAL, 9 September 2024 – Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), a strategic agency and think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), is continuing to drive its YES! Rock the School initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. After successful efforts in Kedah, Pahang, and Johor, the programme is now active in Penang through partnerships with the Penang State Government and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Targeted at primary and secondary school students, the initiative aims to provide industry exposure and ignite interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Aligned with Penang’s vision to cultivate future-ready talent for high-tech industries, the programme equips students with valuable industry insights and knowledge.

These efforts reflect KESUMA’s commitment to preparing the future workforce by engaging schools to shape the talent pipeline. As the labour market will ultimately receive these students, it is crucial to influence the type of skills entering the workforce.

YB Steven Sim Chee Keong while delivering his speech at the YES! Rock The School Penang Mega Edition 2024

The opening ceremony of YES! Rock the School Mega Penang 2024 was officiated by H.E. Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Governor of Penang. During the event, YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of KESUMA, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to tackling underemployment early through collaborative initiatives.

"It’s crucial to align skills with industry needs so that Malaysians can fully benefit from skills development and higher education, leading to fulfilling careers that meet their expectations and aspirations," he said.

He also announced that following this programme, TalentCorp will introduce comprehensive career guidance through the TalentCorp’s YES! Counsellors initiative by January 2025. In collaboration with institutions of higher learning and the private sector, this initiative will equip school counsellors with insights into industry trends and emerging technologies, enabling them to guide students more effectively.

In the first phase of the pilot, 168 school counsellors from 127 secondary schools in Penang will be trained to provide enhanced career coaching. This will not only benefit over 100,000 secondary school students but also certify counsellors as master trainers, ensuring the programme's sustainability. After its pilot in Penang, the YES! Counsellors initiative will be rolled out nationwide with the support of the Ministry of Education.

His Excellency, Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Penang Governor  with YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources posing with students who participated in the YES! Rock The School Penang Mega Edition 2024.

Thomas Mathew, Group CEO of TalentCorp, stated that the agency will leverage its resources and tools, including the Critical Occupations List, the National Skills Registry, MyNext, the sector-based MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Councils and the forthcoming MyMAHIR Future Skills Framework, to maximise the potential of local talent and build a productive future workforce.

“The YES! Rock the School programme adopts a holistic approach by targeting both school students and counsellors. This ensures we nurture talent throughout their entire educational and professional journey,” he added.

The YES! Rock the School Mega Penang 2024 is a two-day event attended by over 550 students and more than 150 teachers and school counsellors from 34 schools in Penang. Organised by TalentCorp and its industry partners, the programme features activities aimed at boosting career awareness and helping students make informed decisions about STEM-related careers. This initiative supports the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint, aligns with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, and complements the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).

Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were the YB Dato' Hj Rashidi Bin Zinol, the Penang Exco for Trade, Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Committee; Datuk Azman Bin Mohd Yusof, Secretary General of KESUMA, Dato' Haji Abdul Said Bin Hussain, Director of the Penang Education State Department; En. Mohd. Khuzzan bin Abu Bakar, TalentCorp's Deputy Chairman; Profesor Dr. Azlan Bin Amran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Industry and Community Network at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

For more information, visit: www.talentcorp.com.my/rts

Issued by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp)

9 September 2024