Penang is seeking to boost the development of local talent in the electric vehicle (EV) industry to address growing market demand. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari highlighted the importance of this initiative to ensure the sustainability of the industry ecosystem, which relies on skilled automotive mechanics and engineers to manage EVs.
“We hope that collaboration between government or private skills training centres in the EV industry to produce highly skilled talent will continue to be strengthened, so we can nurture many of our young people in this field,” said Zairil Khir Johari. He emphasised the value of these efforts, noting, “This is a good effort and will provide opportunities to young people interested in this industry, as there are not many training centres of this kind, yet the industry’s demand for such talent is very high.”
Zairil made these comments following his attendance at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between EV PLUS Mobility Solutions and SLC Auto Academy, aimed at promoting green mobility and talent development. He described the collaboration as vital for positioning Penang as a green and sustainable state, aligning with government policies to foster EV usage and low-carbon initiatives.
“This collaboration is crucial as it will provide training and employment opportunities for young people interested in the automotive industry, especially in the EV sector, particularly at a time when Malaysia is actively promoting EV adoption. I believe it is important for us to develop talent that matches market demand,” he added.
SLC Auto Academy marketing manager Shahrirl Anuar Shah Abdullah stated that their programmes offer students, mainly school dropouts, the chance to acquire skills under Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The academy provides courses in various automotive disciplines, including EV, at certificate level for two years and diploma level for three years, targeted at students aged 16 to 23.
“In terms of job opportunities, they are indeed wide-ranging, and our students secure jobs immediately upon completing their courses. Some have been offered employment by companies even while still studying due to their high skill levels in the field,” he said.
