Mar 8 – Penang’s manufacturing sector, which has not been spared the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic, received a shot in the arm today.

The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) via its JomKerja@NCER initiative, has joined forces with Jabil Circuit Sdn. Bhd and Inari Amertron Bhd to create 2,000 jobs in the northern region.

Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd, a Fortune-500 company, listed on the US Stock Exchange, will employ 1,200 job seekers from the JomKerja@NCER’s local talent pool, while Inari Amertron Bhd a leader in Malaysia’s semiconductor manufacturing industry, will hire 830 job-seekers from the same pool of local talent.

In a joint statement issued by NCIA, Jabil and Inari today, it said since the programme was launched in August 2020, JomKerja@NCER has helped create close to 5,000 job opportunities in the manufacturing, services and agri-business sectors, with over RM21 million in incentives committed by NCIA to over 100 businesses operating in the NCER.

“Penang and Perak are leading the way in jobs created with 66.8 per cent and 21.1 per cent respectively, whilst Kedah and Perlis following at 7.3 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively,” it said.

A virtual event was held today to ink the collaboration between Jabil Circuit and Inari Amerton with NCIA, via the handover letters of offer.

NCIA was represented by its chief executive Datuk Seri Jebasingam Isaace John, Inari Amertron Bhd by its executive director cum chief executive officer KC Chen while Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd’s financial controller KC Chen represented his company.

NCIA in the statement, said it has pledged a total job creation target of 14,487 for the region this year.

“The strategic collaboration with Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd and Inari Amertron Berhad (Bhd) will contribute towards meeting this objective.

“JomKerja@NCER also aims to reduce the region’s dependency on foreign workers,” it said.

Local talents registered with the JomKerja@NCER pool are semi-skilled and fully skilled workers from various manufacturing industries who were recently retrenched, as well as fresh graduates and school leavers.

Recruiting companies will employ them and provide on-the-job training as stipulated under the JomKerja@NCER terms and conditions.

During this period, NCIA will undertake to incentivise companies 50 per cent of the worker’s wages up to a maximum of RM1,000 per worker for six months.

“JomKerja@NCER is a well thought-out programme that makes a lot of sense for companies like ourselves to retain and expand our business during this challenging period. With the incentives provided, we are now able to be more competitive to meet increasing demands for our products,” Lau said.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has been a challenging time for many Malaysians and companies. Besides matching jobs and positions, the JomKerja@NCER programme takes a holistic look at supporting companies in the short and long-term. We will continue supporting NCIA in its efforts to help workers and the business community,” Chen added.

“This strategic intervention programme reflects the holistic approach of NCIA’s human capital programmes via the Federal Government’s short-term PENJANA recovery plan, as well as the aspirations of National Budget 2021 in addressing the urgent concerns of unemployment and saving livelihoods during this period,” John noted.

“The advanced semiconductor and electrical and electronics ecosystem in Penang and Kulim, Kedah,” he added, “are well poised to capitalise the global shortage of microchips critical for the production of automobiles, household appliances, medical devices, telecommunication equipment to information technology products.”

Late last year, a field study was undertaken by NCIA in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia to assess and better understand the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the Movement Control Order especially on unemployment and retrenchment trends in the region.

The findings from the field study, the statement said, highlighted the need for integrated human capital programmes targeted to upskill and reskill workers to improve their employability and safeguard livelihoods.

NCIA today said it will continue to intensify its efforts this year to reach out to more participants (job seekers) and businesses so more can benefit from the incentives provided under the JomKerja@NCER programme.

“The NCER Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025 (SDP) outlines our efforts to help the unemployed and retrenched increase their income and sustain their livelihood in this difficult period. We are steadfast to ensure the Rakyat, businesses and industries in NCER remain resilient in the face of current economic challenges,” John added.

Opportunities for job seekers and businesses looking to continue the hiring process or retain workers, can register for JomKerja@NCER by contacting the NCER Secretariat at 04-503 0198/ 04-503 0199 or email eapplicationcontactcentre@ncer.com.my.

Source: New Straits Times