KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Peneraju (YP) aims to develop 100,000 qualified Bumiputera talents by 2030, including 10,000 "value creators", through its Talent Bank initiative to strengthen Bumiputera participation in high-value and high-skilled sectors.
The target was highlighted during the Majlis Amanat Menteri Ekonomi, where Economy Minister Datuk Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir addressed about 2,000 YP beneficiaries pursuing internationally recognised professional qualifications such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Acting chief executive officer Nor Azmah Zahrullail said YP has shifted its focus from wealth creation to developing talent as value creators in line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35).
“This strategic shift is being realised through Talent Bank, which aims to develop 100,000 qualified Bumiputera talents by 2030, including 10,000 value creators who will go on to lead in the professional, business and community spheres.
“This effort is aligned with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan and PuTERA35 to strengthen Bumiputera participation in high-value and high-skilled economic sectors,” she said.
Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah said the 13MP targets the creation of 1.2 million new jobs, comprising 700,000 in manufacturing and 500,000 in the digital economy, underscoring the need for highly skilled professionals with strong technical expertise, integrity and leadership qualities.
He said rapid technological advancement and digitalisation have transformed the role of accounting and finance professionals, with employers increasingly seeking talent who can combine professional knowledge with technology, data analytics and strategic decision-making.
Since 2012, YP has supported 13,775 Bumiputera talents through its professional certification programmes. Of these, 3,614 have completed their qualifications, while 5,482 are currently pursuing certifications, including ACCA, ICAEW, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Internal Audit, Islamic Finance and Executive Leadership.
The event also featured a panel discussion on developing the next generation of Bumiputera professionals and concluded with the presentation of awards to 66 YP beneficiaries who excelled in the ACCA and ICAEW qualification pathways.
Among the recipients, 60 ACCA candidates received sponsorships for the ACCA Certificate in Data Analytics together with tuition fee reductions, while six ICAEW candidates were awarded RM1,000 each for outstanding performance in the Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business examinations.
