There is a need for sufficient human capital for the electronics industry

Friday, November 7, 2008

Electronics industry needs sufficient human capital
There is a need for sufficient human capital for the electronics industry, as it is a significant contributor to the Malaysian economy, said the Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The industry is the largest sub-sector within the manufacturing sector in Malaysia in terms of output, employment and exports, he added. “For the period January to July 2008, the industry recorded a 28.8% of total employment in the manufacturing sector,” he said in his speech at the Panasonic Scholarship Award 2009 ceremony here yesterday. Muhyiddin also said from last year until August 2008, the electronics industry recorded the second largest investment of RM16.3 billion (147 projects), after basic metal products which had a total capital investment of RM39.5 billion (93 projects). The electronics industry was mainly driven by foreign investment with projects approved accounting for 95.9% of the RM15.6 billion total in 2007. Muhyiddin said the initiative by Panasonic would complement government efforts to provide a sufficient supply of human capital for the industry. Apart from upgrading the skills of employees locally, the group also sends them to Japan for training. Source: Edge DailyThe Minister has shown an awareness that the workers of Malaysia need sufficient skills to support the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry.Will there be a plan to improve education and skills training for Malaysians?Now, will the Minister earnestly work with the Minister of Human Resources, the Minister of Education and the Minister for Higher Education to improve the education and training pipeline to ensure that there is sufficient education and skills for the E&E industry and all other industries in Malaysia?Will there be a strategy to increase SME involvement in E&E?Will the Minister earnestly put in place the necessary policies that will help Malaysian SMEs in the E&E sector and all other manufacturing sectors to move up the value chain with new production technology so that Malaysia does not remain overly dependent on FDIs to drive the E&E sector?Will there be consultation and financial support for SMEs?And, will the Minister consult with the SMEs and provide financial support to the SMEs to ensure that the goal of increasing the SMEs share of the E&E sector is met?Will the Minister keep us informed?Finally, will the Minister keep the Malaysian public informed of all measures planned?