Iskandar to develop workers' skills

ISKANDAR Malaysia will embark on a community social programme based on its human capital blueprint to upgrade workers' skill and marketability.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman told the state legislative assembly the move would ensure a "clever match" of skills and job vacancies in the development corridor.

He said according to statistics released by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida), 9,757 new jobs were created at the corridor in the manufacturing sector from 2006 to August this year.

Ghani said Iskandar Malaysia investors were also helping the government in its human development efforts.

For example, he said United States-based Seagate Technology, which will have its operations at Senai Technology Park, and Spanish steel maker Acerinox, which will expand its operations in Tanjung Langsat, would create 10,000 jobs.

FMC Technologies, a US oil and gas company, was to start operations in Gelang Patah, Ghani said.

Despite only offering 400 new jobs, the company will offer technical courses through tie-ups with technical and vocational institutes.

Ghani said the Federal Government, through the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), had spent RM72 million on land transfers and consultation fees this year.

Irda is expected to spend another RM400 million for development.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Thursday/Stories/2412348/Article/