GEORGE TOWN, October 15 – The Penang State Government will ramp up human capital investment to upskill industry players as Malaysia inches closer to the endemic phase and a redefined normalcy. Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) YB Yeoh Soon Hin said that Penang’s pursuit of post-pandemic recovery will include effective human capital investment through proper resource mobilisation.
“Human capital investment means enhancing the economic value of our industry players, specifically in the facets of skills and competencies, as well as health and safety,” he added. Recently, the Penang State Government has collaborated with Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) through PETACE and Penang Global Tourism (PGT) in organising a webinar to brief the state’s tourism players regarding employment opportunities and upskilling programmes.
Yeoh explained that the pandemic the world is currently waging has highlighted the importance of human capital investment, and that it will function as an engine of economic growth in the post-pandemic era. “This is why PETACE emphasizes robust industry improvements in our policies and initiatives. Therefore, we work closely with Penang Tourist Guides Association (PTGA) in inviting language experts to conduct foreign language classes, in Thai and French,”
“This will enhance the competitive landscape of Penang’s tourist guides and allow them to gain broader access to wider market segments when tourism activities resume entirely,” he added. Additionally, Yeoh said that Penang through the Penang2030 vision is also seeking to establish a conducive environment for human capital to triumph, ultimately maintaining Penang’s coveted position as one of the largest contributors to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Yeoh pointed out that PETACE has long partook in human capital investment through allocation of funds for industry players to upskill its talent pool and to encourage quality-driven outcome. “We hope these funds and sponsorships will inject a booster to Penang’s human capital and increase our competitiveness in the international arena,” he added.
