AT LEAST 11,000 jobs have been created in Perak under the National Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP) to attract more private investments towards overcoming the problem of unemployed graduates in the state.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said these job opportunities help to improve the quality of life of local graduates, while producing skilled workers to meet the needs of industries and the digital economy in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

“The NTEP is one of four human capital development programmes launched today and specially targeted towards young people, women and Orang Asli, particularly those in the B40 group, as well as new graduates, the jobless and micro entrepreneurs,” he said to reporters after launching the Program-Program Modal Insan: Menyemarakkan Kemakmuran, Memperkasakan Rakyat, organised by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) in collaboration with the state government, at the Malaysia Statistics Training Institute in Sungkai, near Tanjung Malim, today.

Ahmad Faizal also launched NCIA’s three other human capital development programmes: empowerNCER@Perak, entrepreneurNCER@Perak and Dana Mudahcara Bumiputera (DMB) towards creating more jobs, increasing entrepreneurial opportunities and household incomes.

He said the empowerNCER@Perak programme through the Skills and Entrepreneurial Training component covering various fields including culinary and frozen food processing, bakery and pastry, electrical and air-conditioner repair and maintenance, tailoring, hairstyling and beauty spa, could help build a high-income community.

To boost the empowerNCER@Perak programme, he said some higher education institutions in Perak would be appointed to conduct guidance classes and personal development courses.

“Through the empowerNCER–MyKasih programme, selected schools will be supplied with the latest information technology and robotic equipment so that students will enjoy and be more interested to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM subjects in a more creative and interactive way.

“I understand that a special course will also be drawn up for human capital development and improving the skills of the Orang Asli, including through activities to develop the ecotourism industry based on this indigenous community, their villages and existing resources,” he said.

Faizal said the entrepreneurNCER@Perak programme was aimed at creating micro entrepreneurs, and small and medium enterprises, especially in rural areas and among those interested to start their own business after taking up courses.

As for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, he said the NCIA also gave financial support as a catalyst for their respective companies in implementing projects through the DMB programme. – Bernama, January 14, 2020.