IPOH: Perak is positioning its youth to take advantage of emerging opportunities in high value industries as the state accelerates investments in technology, green energy and advanced manufacturing under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 agenda, says Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah.
The state Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman was reading out a speech on behalf of Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at the state-level National Youth Day celebration on Saturday (June 6).
He said the state government is committed to equipping young people with the skills needed to secure premium jobs in future focused sectors.
“Perak’s development plans are closely aligned with national youth policies, including the newly enforced youth age definition of 15 to 30 years old, which aims to sharpen government interventions and develop a younger generation of future leaders.
“This is not merely a change in numbers. It reflects a paradigm shift that places the focus on those at the most energetic, creative and innovative stage of their lives, enabling more targeted and effective youth development programmes,” he said.
He added that the government’s National Youth Plan 2025–2030 prioritises digital economic literacy, future proof employment and civic resilience, with the goal of producing young Malaysians who are not only academically capable but also grounded in strong values, critical thinking and mental resilience.
At the state level, he said youth development has been identified as a key pillar of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 blueprint, with an emphasis on upskilling and reskilling through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“Perak is attracting major investments that will create demand for highly skilled workers through projects such as the Automotive High-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, the Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP) in Ipoh and the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park.
“These investments are transforming the state’s employment landscape. Industries now require data scientists, robotics engineers, smart device technicians, automation specialists and renewable energy engineers,” he said.
Khairudin said the state government has introduced several initiatives to help youth meet industry demands, including the Perak Youth Aspiration Centre which provides job matching services and industry driven training programmes.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Perak TVET Council, which brings together training institutions and industry players such as Proton, Geely and investors involved in SVTP to ensure training curricular remain aligned with current technological developments.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, he said the state is also strengthening digital hubs and youth entrepreneurship funding to support technology based businesses and sustainable gig economy ventures.
Khairudin urged young people to seize the opportunities available and play a proactive role in shaping the state’s future.
“Do not be a generation that waits to be spoon fed or merely criticises from the sidelines.
“Take advantage of the opportunities available in Perak and prove that Perak’s youth are competitive, resilient and ready to lead the future,” he said.
