Penang introduces PISP initiative to draw 150,000 knowledge workers
31 Mar 2022
Penang today unveiled the Penang Internship Subsidy Programme (PISP), which aims to draw 150,000 knowledge workers over the next five years.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said PISP is meant to unlock vast career opportunities for talented individuals to experience Penang’s live-work-play balanced lifestyle, complemented by the state’s vibrant arts and cultures, holistic green initiatives, strong digital connectivity as well as developed infrastructure and mobility.
He said Penang recently announced its commendable manufacturing investment performance in 2021, reaching a record high of RM76.2 billion investment inflows, based on data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).
“Driven predominantly by the foreign direct investments (FDIs), the investment projects garnered in 2021 are expected to generate 12,024 new job opportunities in the state. Notably, the rising trend in investment value per job created signifies that Penang is constantly attracting high value-added investments, which serves as a good omen for job-seekers in securing high-income jobs.
“Underpinned by the rapid growth of Penang’s industrial ecosystem, a healthy talent pipeline is crucial to meet the heightened industrial demand. Holding on to that, the state has carried out multiple approaches in talent attraction and development, continuously bolstering Penang’s welcoming and conducive environment for finding and retaining the right talent, with PISP being the most recent addition,” he said today.
Chow said, with the mission to further enhance the state’s effort in attracting an influx of talent, PISP offers monthly wage subsidy amounting to RM300 per intern for a maximum period of six months when companies recruit talent throughout 2022.
Qualified companies are eligible to claim up to RM1,800 per intern.
PISP is open to all SSM-registered companies with a presence in Penang. The company must hire a minimum of three interns in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and accounting.
In addition, hiring must be completed by 2022, with a minimum monthly allowance of RM1,200 per intern.
Applications can now be made online via Penang CAT Centre’s website. The closing date will be on Dec 31, this year.
“I hope that PISP can serve as a talent gateway to the countless opportunities in Penang that are waiting to be discovered. To all the talent, come to Penang and experience what the state has to offer as the Silicon Valley of the East.
“To all homegrown companies, take advantage of this opportunity to apply for PISP in enticing talent to Penang,” said Chow.
Meanwhile, he also announced members in the steering committee for PISP, who are responsible for determining and improving the eligibility criteria, application process, method of allocation, evaluation, monitoring and other PISP-related terms and conditions.
Besides Chow, who is the chairman, others include Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy; state Human Resources, Education and Science and Technology Committee chairman Datuk Halim Hussain; state Trade and Industry and Entrepreneurial Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Farazi Johari; and, Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon, special investment adviser to the chief minister.
Source: NST
