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Penang, Malaysia, 21 February 2023 - Forward School and Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) have announced a partnership to address the growing need for digital upskilling in the workforce. As industries increasingly digitise, the demand for a skilled workforce in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things, Big Data, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Web & Mobile Development and UI/UX Design has never been greater.
Through this collaboration, Forward School and PSDC will offer a range of upskilling programs and activities aimed at improving Penang's productivity and knowledge standards acrossindustries, specifically in the manufacturing, electronics, and technology sectors. These programs will be delivered through short courses covering a range of technology-based topicsto help address the digital skills gap in the current workforce.
In addition to the 246 companies comprising of PSDC's 21 founder members, 43 full members,and 182 ordinary members, this program is also available to companies, MNCs and SMEs in Penang to develop new advanced skills and competencies.
From this initiative, Forward School and PSDC will also be launching an annual event called the Forward Festival. The festival will bring together leading tech experts, innovators, and thinkers to learn, discuss and showcase how technology is shaping business and society. The two-day event will provide a platform for the tech community in Penang and beyond to cometogether and explore issues related to innovation and transformation.
Forward School and PSDC are also working to establish the Tech Career Accelerator in the areas of Frontend Development, Backend Development, Data Analysis, Android Development, Automation Test, and UI/UX Design. These programs will be designed to help participants, especially fresh graduates, to enhance their existing skills and gain new ones, ultimately accelerate digital skills growth and reduce potential mismatch between the skills employers seek and those students possess upon graduation and ensure a more sustainable tech talent pipeline across industries in Penang and beyond.
Commenting on the partnership, Howie Chang, Forward School’s CEO said: "We are excited to be working with PSDC to help individuals and companies develop the skills needed to succeed in the digital age. Together, we hope to make a significant contribution to the digital transformation and innovation of Penang’s thriving tech industry."
“PSDC welcomes Forward School as a new partner to bring new capabilities to our members and non-members alike. We continue to actively seek new collaborations to provide high quality education and training for industry to prepare them for new technologies that emerge”, added ET Tan, CEO of PSDC.