JOHOR BARU: A Talent development council and a QR code-based border crossing system are among the measures Johor is taking to address concerns from investors and industries.
Johor executive councillor Lee Ting Han said that as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) takes shape, addressing talent shortages and facilitating seamless cross-border movement are crucial for realising its full potential.
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The Johor investment, trade, consumerism and human resources committee chairman said the state government is taking concrete steps to address these challenges.
He said this included working with industry players to identify precise skill gaps within the JS-SEZ priority sectors.
“The state government fully acknowledges the pressing challenge of talent shortages in high-value industries.
“To address this, we have taken a proactive, state-led approach through the Johor Talent Development Council, which has been established to align talent development efforts with the needs of the industries, particularly those targeted under the JS-SEZ.
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“The council’s roles include place-and-train models involving polytechnics and technical institutions, as well as partnerships with local universities to co-develop needed modules,” he said when interviewed by The Star.
Lee said the state has also introduced the Bangsa Johor pilot school initiative to support long-term talent development. This new education model aims to nurture early interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), digital skills, and future-focused learning.
“By embedding industry-relevant content and hands-on exposure from a young age, we can aim to cultivate a generation that is not only tech-savvy but also aligned with the needs of high-value industries. This helps to build a resilient and future-ready workforce and ensure Johor remains a competitive economic powerhouse,” he said.
In terms of improving cross-border mobility, he noted that the state supported implementing a QR code-based immigration clearance system, which will allow for passport-free travel between Johor and Singapore.
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The state councillor said Johor was also exploring ways to expedite the issuance of existing cross-border passes for individuals working within the JS-SEZ.
Lee also highlighted that the Rapid Transit System Link would be a game-changer for cross-border connectivity and complement broader JS-SEZ mobility goals.
He acknowledged the need for greater support for research and development, especially in high-tech sectors such as medical devices and advanced electronics.
While the state does not currently have its research funding mechanism, he said it worked with federal agencies to channel support into Johor.
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To further strengthen innovation ecosystems, the state has proposed several regulatory sandbox initiatives to the Federal Government.
“These sandboxes are designed to create controlled environments where businesses can test innovative products, services and business models with greater regulatory flexibility.
“Insights from these trials will help inform adaptive policies and ensure that regulations can keep pace with technological advancements,” he said.
