STEM TALENT PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT Programmes Launched
As an immediate follow-up to the Official Launch of the PENANG STEM TALENT BLUEPRINT by Penang Chief Minister, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Penang STEM officially mapped out 4 key STEM Talent Pipeline Development (STPD) programmes focusing on building a comprehensive and impactful talent development pipeline from schools to Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) and on to Industry.
3 of the 4 programmes were launched by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, Tuan Jagdeep Singh in his capacity as State Exco for Science, Technology & Human Capital Development, and also concurrently Penang STEM Chairman on 29 April 2025
The 3 programmes launched and offered to selected schools were:
- AI Kids
- A one-year programme offering a fun-learning approach on the Basics of AI for upper primary students
- StepUP: WizKids
- A one-year programme offering Introduction to Ai and Data Science for lower secondary students
- Technical Skill Learning
- A 2-year programme offering practical basic skills-learning for upper secondary students
All 3 programmes are focused on practical hands-on learning with 70% of lessons being conducted using relevant learning tools to enhance students’ learning experience and make learning fun.
The programmes are based on structured modules conducted either weekly or fortnight and have been officially approved by the Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri (JPN) Pulau Pinang and are conducted by qualified trainers from recognized institutions which include Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), Japan-Malaysia Technical Institution (JMTI), Fourier TVET Centre (FTC) and Tech Dome Penang. Participating schools for the 3 programmes (with sponsors in brackets) are as follows:
Technical Skill Learning (TSL) is conducted using Work Activities under the National Occupational Skill Learning (NOSS) syllabus governed by the Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK).
Students who complete the 2-year programme, subject to formal assessments by JPK, will be awarded the Sijil Penyata Pencapaian partial certification which will entitle them to credit transfers if they proceed on to certificate (SKM) and diploma (DKM) studies post-SPM.
Under the TSL initiative, school-leavers who have successfully completed the programme will have the option to join industry as technical apprentices/trainees (with earned income) whilst eligible to also proceed on to certificate/diploma programmes under the Akademi Dalam Industri (ADI) work-study programme administered by JPK.
This option is particularly beneficial to students from B40 families who need to help contribute/supplement family income after their SPM.
The 4th programme under the STPD Initiative, STEM Future Proofing focusing on foundation-learning in Computer and Data Science is earmarked for launching in 2027.
