GEORGE TOWN, Nov 8 (Bernama) — The public and private sectors have joined forces to launch an academy in Penang to nurture a future-proof and digitally-skilled workforce for sustained growth in the digital economy ecosystem.
Penang GBS (Global Business Services) Industry Academy (PGIA) is a joint effort by InvestPenang, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Penang GBS Focus Group and Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC).
In a statement today, InvestPenang said PGIA pooled resources from the private sector, government entities and academia to bridge the talent supply and demand gap.
“The academy will focus on courses and skill sets related to the digital economy and targeted at fresh graduates, job seekers, working professionals, academics and business owners.
“These include the introduction of GBS programmes, technical or specialised skill sets as well as management and soft skills to build their capabilities,” it said.
InvestPenang, being the project initiator, is tasked to oversee the operations of PGIA.
Special investment advisor to the chief minister of Penang Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon commented that the launch of PGIA is among the state’s many efforts to meet the increased demand for high-quality talent in the digital economy sector.
“I believe that this academy will take the lead to enact a greater focus and create powerful synergies between the public and private sectors for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The GBS industry in Malaysia is expected to grow at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 6.2 per cent, reaching US$6.7 billion (US$1=RM4.74) by 2025.
InvestPenang is the Penang state government’s principal agency for promoting investment to develop and sustain the state’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency