TNB invests RM186m to train Malaysia’s unemployed

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) is investing RM186 million to train the unemployed and retrenched workers in the country, with the main goal of improving their employability.

The investment was made through two programmes, namely Protege (Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs) and TNB Reskilling Malaysia.

TNB with the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry have invested a total of RM143 million in the Protege programme since 2011.

To date, 5,477 trainees have benefitted from it with 2,633 of them having found employment within six months of completing their training.

Meanwhile, TNB Reskilling Malaysia takes place at the TNB Integrated Learning Solutions (ILS) Training Centre in Bangi, Selangor, and Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

The subjects offered in the latter programme are Grid Connected Photovoltaic System; installation of smart metres; power system operation and maintenance electrician; maintenance of medium-voltage electrical facilities; and maintenance of low-voltage electrical facilities.

At the opening ceremony of the programmes yesterday, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said Malaysia is in a period of change and the government is aware of the need to create a more skilled workforce.

“No one can guarantee how long it will take to recover from the impacts of Covid19 in terms of economy, social and health as well as the percentage of the recovery rate each year.

“However, we must be confident and optimistic that our country will recover. So, here is the role of agencies and government-link companies such as TNB by utilising any opportunity and expertise to contribute to the recovery process,” he said.

Also present at the event was TNB chairman Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (picture), who said that this initiative is expected to contribute up to 6% increase in GDP through a multiplier effect in the economy in which the value can reach up to RM82 billion in the next three to five years.

“Since the programme began in October 2020, ILSAS has successfully trained and job-matched 2,376 people in 268 companies.

“In the current challenges of the energy industry landscape leading to energy transition, the Incentive-Based Regulatory (IBR) mechanism is key in ensuring a stable and sustainable electricity industry, which protects customers and provides fair returns to shareholders, the majority of whom are government-linked investment institutions, thus benefitting the people,” he said.

He further stated that the IBR mechanism has already proven its effect in the first Regulatory Period (RP1) and RP2 which will end at the end of this year after being extended by one year.

Thus, the proposed RP3, which is currently under consideration by the government, will determine capital investment for the next three years to support the country’s economic recovery.

The proposed capital investment is expected to stimulate the economy with the ability to create over 260,000 jobs.

The Protege and Reskilling programmes were launched by the government to uplift the country’s economy from the effects of Covid-19.

The two programmes were also implemented as part of the government’s effort to uplift the country’s human resource capacity in line with the National Recovery Plan.