Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir
KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd has allocated RM200mil to the Khazanah Youth Development Programme (K-Youth) this year.
The programme aims to train and develop 11,000 young Malaysians in key sectors, including semiconductors. It focuses on addressing critical talent gaps in areas such as chip design and advanced manufacturing.
In a statement, the sovereign wealth fund noted that this initiative supports Khazanah’s commitment to advancing the nation's semiconductor sector. It forms part of the National Semiconductor Strategy, which seeks to strengthen the local ecosystem and position Malaysia as a global leader in the semiconductor industry.
“Khazanah is proud of our K-Youth and Dana Impak’s 42MY initiatives where we invest in training and nurturing young people to adapt to IR4.0 skills and enhancing their employability.
“Our talents come from varied socio-economic backgrounds and we are heartened to provide this opportunity to equip Malaysians with in-demand skills, enabling access to high-quality jobs and fostering competitive industries, thereby helping Malaysia achieve its aspiration of becoming a high-income nation,” managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said in a statement.
He said Khazanah aims to develop a sustainable talent pipeline through upskilling and reskilling initiatives, in response to the rapid acceleration of technological innovation.
“Khazanah is committed to advancing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, ensuring that skilled talent can be future-ready and contribute positively to Malaysia's development goals.”
Feisal, who is also a Trustee of the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) since 2021, pointed out that research by the institute found that Malaysia is facing a shortage of highly skilled talent necessary to support the rapid growth of its high-tech industries.
KRI reports that many graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are currently working in unrelated fields due to a lack of demand for skilled workers in relevant sectors, coupled with a decline in investment in research and development (R&D).
In its inaugural year, K-Youth attracted 8,381 participants (82% from the B40 group), with 83% of these participants securing employment in the key industries targeted by the programme in Malaysia.
The program strategically targets gaps by utilising TVET across three distinct tracks. The first track concentrates on key industries such as hospitality & services, machinery & equipment, and digital & technology.
The second track offers two years of support for students in their penultimate and final years, aligning their skills with market needs.
The third track provides upskilling programs for career centres and academicians nationwide, to ensure sectors are matched with suitable talents while enhancing the employability of youths from identified learning institutions.
