Two agencies collaborated with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) to ensure the architecture and engineering industries remain competitive during the pandemic
The architecture and engineering industry are among the important sectors that continue to show an increase in productivity in contributing to economic transformation and national development.
Therefore, it is not surprising that these two sectors are important for the country and need to remain strong and competitive, especially in the face of the uncertain Covid-19 pandemic challenges at this time.
Under the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint (MPB), Professional Services has been identified as one of nine targeted industries covering architecture, accountancy, advertising, engineering, legal and management consultancy that require immediate priority.
The establishment of the Professional Services Productivity Nexus (PSPN) led by industry associations and professional bodies acts as an agent of change to drive the productivity trajectory of this sub-sector, as well as contribute to further export growth and strengthen inter-sectoral relations.
Productivity-driven initiatives for the expansion of the services sector, including professional services, will continue to boost investors’ confidence and attract more quality internationally competitive investments.
On that basis as well, MPC has come forward to provide a stronger platform for this group of professionals to continue leveraging on, as well as plans that are expected to produce a continuous positive cycle.
To realise that goal, MPC entered into a partnership through an agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Architect Center Sdn Bhd (ACSB) and the recently signed with the Institutution of Engineers Malaysia Training Centre (IEMTC).
The main purpose is to contribute towards the improvement and productivity growth of professional fields in uncertain situations due to the current pandemic.
Through the MoU with ACSB, a consortium was established as a one-stop centre acting as an open space for all groups of professionals involved to be united under the same platform.
ACSB chairman Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail, said his party would play a role in helping to develop the consortium model and framework through various coaching and mentoring exercises by focusing on skills training for professional groups.
Apart from that, Ezumi explained, services related to the development of professional groups are also given priority in promoting the sector.
"A total of 2,000 groups of professionals and graduates in related fields will be trained through this programme and it is hoped that in the next five years we will be able to create 10 consortiums under the same programme.
"Our target to create globally competitive professionals and cooperation with MPC is also a testament to our commitment and support to the government in improving the capabilities of professional services in Malaysia," he shared.
Meanwhile, collaboration and relationships between the parties involved as well as existing networks are very important in strengthening professional relationships and environments that can thus increase efficiency from various angles.
This, Ezumi explained, includes maximising the use of digital tools more widely and opening up more opportunities to improve skills and marketability among young professionals.
Meanwhile, IEMTC Chairman Ir. Ong Chin Loon said that IEMTC is no stranger to professional training since 1984 to strengthen the field of engineering, including through the Professional Development Program (PDP), Continuous Professional Development Program (CPD) and various other programmes in meeting the needs of the professional group.
Recognising the responsibility to prepare engineers for global competition is not an easy task, Ong explained, noting that Malaysia has actually created various successes abroad and that history can be repeated with proper planning and training.
"In the long run, it is hoped that the momentum of sharing the best expertise will give positive results in developing more consortiums in the future.
"It is hoped that we can also create an open ecosystem where all stakeholders can work together for mutual benefit, giving a positive impact to the country as a whole," he said.
Meanwhile, the Engineering Consulting Firm (ECF) will propose a framework that, among other things, aims to develop local talent by leveraging knowledge by a group of experienced professionals, helping to ensure the sustainability of the company including enhancing new knowledge in a changing world.
This is to encourage a group of industry professionals to adapt learning to maintain the potential that will ultimately increase capability over the next five to 10 years.
Even the recent Malaysian Budget 2021 has also showed some mega projects that the ECF wants to implement through partnership with the government.
In similar developments, MPC director general Datuk Abdul Latif Abu Seman said the stronger platform was created for professionals through this MoU is expected to produce a continuous positive cycle for both sectors.
Through Budget 2021, it also hopes that funds for the professional sector to expand capacity as well as development and research (R&D) as well as grants allocated, can increase this group of professionals.
"Through ACSB and IEMTC, government-private partnerships will grow where professional practitioners can share resources such as technical expertise and skills in enhancing local skills.
"It can therefore produce highly skilled human capital in helping the country soar towards high performance and knowledge-based activities.
"IEMTC and ACSB will assist PSPN in developing the appropriate conceptual framework and model as well as provide training and concerns to promote the growth of professional groups of service companies or business expansion through various collaborative models," he said.
