PENANG, 22 Jan 2009: The Penang state government has approved a RM10 million grant for the Career Assistance and Training (CAT) centre to help the state’s unemployed during the economic downturn, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
He said InvestPenang was entrusted with the task of being the implementation agency.
Lim told reporters the CAT centre would match workers with training programmes and business opportunities, and work with members to create jobs and business opportunities.
“State agencies like the Penang Development Corporation, Penang Island Municipal Council, Seberang Perai Municipal Council and Perbadanan Bekalan Air will assist in creating temporary job and training opportunities for the unemployed to buffer the current economic downturn,” he said.
Lim said InvestPenang would also enlist the assistance of industry associations like the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and the Free Industrial Zone Penang Companies Association and other federal government agencies to provide temporary job and training opportunities.
“Mobile lines have been set up for applicants to enquire and register with the CAT centre which will match the applicants with available jobs as well as training opportunities,” he said, adding that the registration forms will be made available from tomorrow.
The CAT centre can be reached during office hours Monday to Friday at 018-4659384, 018-4652043, 018-4656410 or 018-4651635.
Lim also called on employees in the state to be prepared to take pay cuts as the only alternative to save their jobs.
“Employees must be ready to sacrifice in order to save the company from retrenching employees due to the economic downturn,” he said. — Bernama
