IRDA allots RM30 mln for human capital devt

JOHOR BAHARU: The Iskandar Regional Development Authority ( IRDA) is allocating RM30 million for the development of human capital for the economic corridor this year.

Chief Executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said RM10 million will come from IRDA itself under the Iskandar Malaysia Employment Grant ( IMEG) with another RM20 million from the Human Resources Development Fund ( HRDF).

He said the allocation would be used for salary matching grants as well as training grants in order to encourage more candidates to meet the workforce needs of related industries especially those surrounding the economic region.

“We expect about 15 to 20 per cent of the allocation likely to be taken up.

“More than 200 companies in Iskandar Malaysia have

We expect about 15 to 20 per cent of the allocation likely to be taken up. Datuk Ismail, IRDA chief executive

already expressed their interest to participate in this,” he told reporters after the launch of the third Iskandar Malaysia Emp loyme nt Fa i r he r e yesterday.

Also present was Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

So far, Ismail said, IRDA has approved applications from 125 companies for IMEG involving a total of 400 jobs for eligible candidates.

IMEG is a targeted initiative to reduce employment gaps and promote employment for those who fall within the eligibility criteria so as to build an inclusive society.

Under the scheme, Ismail said, for those with a monthly salary of about RM2,000 to RM4,000, IRDA will pay about 50 per cent of the worker’s salary for six months.

“There are also cases where employers are happy with the quality of the workers they receive, and they don’t even use or apply for the salary matching grant from us,” he added.

The fair features about 2,500 job opportunities offered by more than 90 companies in Iskandar Malaysia, comprising 70 per cent mult inat ionals and 30 per cent local large to medium- sized businesses from diverse industries including biotechnology, medical, property development, tourism and oil and gas. — Bernama

The allocation would be used for salary matching grants as well as training grants in order to encourage more candidates to meet the workforce needs of related industries especially those surrounding the economic region.