Malaysia Productivity Corporation spearheads digitalisation, talent development and reform to achieve 3.6% annual productivity growth under the 13MP.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) is leading the national push to achieve a 3.6% annual productivity growth target under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
MPC People’s Productivity Division director Mohamad Muzaffar Abdul Hamid said the strategy focuses on digitalisation, skilled talent development and regulatory reform. He emphasised that expanding the economy is essential for higher corporate profits and increased wages.
“We need to expand the size of the economy so that companies can generate higher profits, ensure wages are increased so Malaysians can live more prosperously, happily and comfortably,” he said on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme.
A key initiative is the “place and train” model developed with industry, government and academia. This academy-in-industry approach places trainees directly in companies to align skills with real sector needs.
Mohamad Muzaffar explained the programme is designed by industry for industry with government recognition. It involves collaboration between four key ministries to support transformation in high-value sectors.
He highlighted the semiconductor industry’s RM1 trillion export target under the 13MP. This goal requires a consistent supply of skilled labour to sustain industrial expansion and national productivity growth.
UWC Bhd deputy group chief operations officer Ng Sze Yen said the Academy in Industry programme coordinated by MPC effectively accelerates skilled workforce development. Her company faced a labour shortage during its post-pandemic expansion in 2023.
“At that time, MPC coordinated the Academy in Factory programme and UWC was among the participating factories,” she said.
The programme offers Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates a structured entry into technical and engineering fields. UWC’s participant intake grew from 12 in 2023 to over 100 as the company expanded.
According to Ng, ADI graduates gain industry experience and learning simultaneously. This enhances their value, salary prospects and career advancement opportunities compared to conventional academic pathways.
The Sun Malaysia
