‘RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE’
RM3 billion increase in GDP if women return to work, says deputy minister
WOMEN who had taken a career break to care for their families can return to the workforce through the “Empowering Women in Cyber Risk Management Programme”.
Offered by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDEC), the programme is aimed at encouraging and bringing back
women to the workforce, in the field of cyber risk management.
The programme is jointly organised by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Communications and Multimedia Ministry, National Cyber Security Agency and TalentCorp.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said a threemonth internship would be offered to successful applicants to increase their knowledge in cyber security before re-entering the workforce.
“Through these programmes, we hope to encourage women who left their jobs for various reasons, to return to the workforce.
“The gross domestic product of the country is also projected to increase from RM6 billion to RM9 billion with women coming back to their careers,” she said after launching the programme.
Yeoh said, in the past, 820 women had returned to the workforce, joining 323 employers through the “Career Comeback Programme” by TalentCorp.
She gave her assurances that participating companies would also ensure an easy transition back into the workforce with flexible working hours and childcare.
Yeoh added that the main objective of the programme was to have local female talent in the field, to offer a stable ecosystem for them after returning to the workforce, including attractive and high remuneration packages, and promoting new ideas.
MDEC chief executive officer Surina Shukri said the programme, which would start from January, had opened up registration for candidates.
“Their applications will undergo a vetting process before they are informed whether they qualify or not. For the pioneer project, we are looking to train 50 candidates and will be expanding the number after that,” she said.
Surina said the programme was open to Malaysian women who had left the workforce for at least six months and had a minimum three-year working experience in the corporate sector.
She said applicants need not have knowledge in computer or information technology.
“There are many types of jobs within the cyber risk management industry. Employers will later decide which is suitable for the candidates.”