JDETT is an effort to alleviate economic challenges for the people of Johor

by ASILA JALIL / Pic by BERNAMA

ISKANDAR Investment Bhd (IIB) has launched Johor Digital and Emerging Technology Talent Programme (JDETT) aimed to develop talent to support the emerging technology sector in the Iskandar Puteri region.

The initiative is in collaboration with the Johor state and federal government and will be supported by its industry, talent, training and funding partners.

IIB president and CEO Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad said JDETT is an effort to alleviate economic challenges for the people of Johor, by developing high-value jobs in the digital and emerging technology sectors and part of Iskandar Next —` a private-public partnership programme initiated by IIB and its group of companies.

“This initiative will reduce reliance on imported talent in the digital and emerging technology sectors, which aligns with IIB’s mission to position Iskandar Puteri an inclusive and sustainable future metropolis.

“The effects of the pandemic on our businesses, people, and communities inspired us to look at the importance of the environment, social and governance framework as one of the critical approaches to long-term business resilience. As a responsible corporate citizen, IIB continues to serve the community through innovative social initiatives like JDETT,” he said in his speech during the launch yesterday.

He said IIB is keen on increasing its efforts in developing a talent pool which includes upskilling and reskilling programmes, new education and training partnerships.

The programme, he said, will create win-win solutions all around as it benefits programme attendees to upskill themselves in fields that will be relevant as the group continues to navigate and develop the landscape of the Johor Digital Economy.

It would also be beneficial for companies located across Johor in the digital and emerging technology industry as they will gain access to a larger and more skilled talent pool of collaborators.

Khairil Anwar said Covid-19 had adversely impacted Johor’s economy mainly due to the combined factors of border closure which led to a loss of Singaporean visitors, local movement restrictions and economic slowdown. It also led to unemployment among Malaysians who used to be employed in Singapore.

“There were over 250,000 commuters who used to live in Johor and work in Singapore. The deep traditional economic ties between Singapore and Johor immediately impacted Singapore’s Malaysian workforce and the companies that depended on them.

“By the end of 2020, there were 760,700 unemployed people on record nationwide (4.8% of the unemployment rate), with 15,700 losing their jobs in the fourth quarter of the pandemic when nearly all economic sectors were allowed to reopen. Of the total unemployed, 15,346 were Malaysians working in Singapore, most of whom were residing in or originally from Johor,” he noted.

To kick start the JDETT, IIB Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of IIB, will implement the programme to provide job opportunities in both private and public sectors with focus on industries with high demand jobs.

The programme offers attendees a salary allowance of RM2,000 per month for up to six months and one-off mobility allowance.

It will kick off this month with 18 participants that will also include involvement from several local digital and emerging technology companies currently within Johor namely Synapse Innovation Sdn Bhd, Poladrone Solutions Holistics Lab, Innates PLT and SG Shop.