Meeting future needs of industry
New ceo of skills development centre calls for more focus on STEM education in schools
Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) is aiming to continue supporting talent development in the semiconductor and electrical and electronics (e&e) since Malaysia plays a significant role in these markets.
PSDC new chief executive officer Dr Hari narayanan emphasised the need to double or even triple student enrolment to meet industry demand in the coming years.
“In light of the recent downturn in the semiconductor industry, we are optimistic about its resurgence by the second quarter of this year.
“We will continue working with multinational corporations (MNC) to identify and uplift local small and medium enterprises (Smes), fostering their growth through targeted talent development interventions,” he told state publisher Buletin Mutiara.
Hari’s involvement in Mncs dates back to 1992 from when he served in various roles at Motorola Solutions.
after retiring in 2018, he went on to serve as Universiti Sains Malaysia Board of governors chairman and asia Pacific University vice-chancellor.
Upon taking the helm at PSDC in January this year, the industry veteran outlined his vision for the corporation.
Hari said PSDC would focus on staying ahead of industry trends to ensure a robust talent pipeline.
“It is crucial for PSDC to be proactive in addressing the talent development needs of evolving industries.
“We need to keep pace with industry developments,” said Hari, having observed PSDC from both an external and internal perspective.
Reflecting on the importance of Technical and Vocational education and Training (TVET), Hari announced plans to accelerate alternative TVET programmes, aside from being involved in the german Dual Vocational Training, to cater to diverse industry needs.
He highlighted potential areas of TVET expansion in mechatronics, quality assurance technology, automation, industrial management and information technology.
Hari also acknowledged the surge in demand for skilled talent, especially in the global Business Services sector.
“There is also a crucial need to address declining interest in STEM (Science, Technology, engineering and Mathematics) subjects and the shortage of skilled graduates.
“It is a national problem and thus, it is good that Penang has been engaging young children and spurring their interest in STEM,” he said.
“We have the Penang STEM platform which brings together various independent STEM learning organisations creating a synergistic ecosystem in Penang.”
PSDC is among the founding members of Penang STEM, with Penang Science Cluster, Tech Dome Penang, Penang Math Platform and Penang Digital Library as other members.
Hari also called for policy changes at the federal level to promote STEM education in primary and secondary schools, and provide flexibility for international students studying in Malaysia.
addressing the impact of generative ai on the workforce, Hari recognised its potential to enhance efficiency but also acknowledged the possibility of job displacement, which would require greater emphasis on upskilling and repurposing the workforce.