Latest news with #PenangChipDesignAcademy
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
HR Ministry to collaborate with Penang govt to develop Penang Chip Design Academy
GEORGE TOWN: Discussions are being finalised for the Human Resources Ministry to work with the Penang state government to develop the upcoming Penang Chip Design Academy. Its minister, Steven Sim said that as the institution intended to develop skilled manpower in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors in Penang, he hoped that the collaboration would add value and upgrade the skill training programmes. "It is a state government project and we are in discussion to finalise the collaboration between the ministry and the academy. "As it specialises in developing the semiconductor and high tech sector in Penang, we wish to add value and collaborate to enhance the skill training programmes," Sim told reporters on Thursday (June 19). Located at the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) building in Bayan Lepas, the academy would support the state's plan for the development of an Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Digital Park. It is a key component of the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint and would be led by PSDC in collaboration with key industry players, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool providers, academia, and InvestPenang. Sim had earlier officiated the northern region National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Learning Tour in Raia Inn in Bayan Lepas here. At the event, Sim said the Human Resource Development (HRD) Corporation and Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) have formed a strategic collaboration under the Advanced Technology Meister Programme (ATMP) to introduce the Matching Grant for skills development aimed at helping local industries upskill their workforce in advanced technology sectors. He added that some 420 families of fishermen impacted by the Silicon Island development project would receive training and skills development programmes in fields to expand their career opportunities. The NTW programme themed "Learning Beyond Borders", organised by HRD Corp, had brought together over 600 participants from various segments of the community, including school students, civil servants, community members, persons with disabilities (PWDs), cooperatives, and senior citizens, with the aim of empowering them with practical skills aligned with future workforce demands. To date, it has recorded over 3.2 million enrolments, exceeding its initial target of one million enrolments, with about 167,000 enrolments with almost 800 courses recorded across Penang, Kedah and Perlis in the northern region. NTW 2025 will conclude on Saturday (June 21) with the closing ceremony in Ipoh, Perak.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
HR Ministry, Penang govt in final talks to boost high-tech talent development
GEORGE TOWN: The Human Resources Ministry is in the final stages of discussions with the Penang government to formalise a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding talent development within the high-tech and semiconductor sectors. At the heart of this effort is the Penang Chip Design Academy initiative, a state-backed programme announced earlier by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, designed to strengthen Penang's position as a regional hub for advanced technology and innovation. Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the aim was to produce more engineers in IR4.0. "The Penang Chip Design Academy is specifically aimed at advancing the semiconductor sector and high-tech industries in the state of Penang. "So, it is truly an institution that aims to train young people, our workers, and our human capital in this sector. "The Penang Chip Design Academy has already been announced by the Chief Minister. What we want to contribute is to add value — to see how we can collaborate with the state government to further stimulate skills training programmes in the state," he said when met after the launch of the NTW (National Training Week) northern region programme here today. Present was Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo. Sim said the ministry was exploring how it could contribute to enhancing skills training programmes under the Penang Chip Design Academy. "This is not just about producing more talent. "It is about producing the right talent for the semiconductor and high-tech industries that are critical to Penang's economic future," he said. He said an announcement would be made soon once all the details have been worked out. The Penang Chip Design Academy is a state initiative led by Chow to bolster Penang's IC design and digital sectors. It aims to develop a skilled workforce in integrated circuit (IC) design through upskilling and reskilling programmes. The academy is part of the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint and is a key component of the state's plan to establish an IC Design and Digital Park. Other Initiatives Meanwhile, Sim also announced his ministry's collaboration with the NCIA (Northern Corridor Implementation Authority) to provide matching grants to companies that utilise their Human Resource Development (HRD) Corporation grants to implement skills development programmes for their staff. "So, for example, if a company wants to take up or develop a higher-level course, such as a professional diploma, they can not only use their HRD Corp grant, but NCIA will also provide a matching grant. "This will increase the total allocation to help companies further enhance the skills of their employees," he said. Secondly, Sim said, the ministry was also working with the state government to train or provide training to around 400 fisherfolk in the southern part of the island, involved in the Penang Silicon Island project, focusing on skills development. He said this included not only technical skills, but also communication skills, entrepreneurship, and, of course, AI, digitalisation, and so on. "This is so that these fisherfolk and the youth in these families have options to develop themselves in terms of careers and employment opportunities in the future," he said.
