TAWAU, May 18 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Peneraju, an agency under the Ministry of Economy focused on developing and strengthening bumiputera talent, is targeting 2,500 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers this year to undergo training and education to become chartered accountants.
Its chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani said said the talent search is being carried out through the ‘Jom Explore! Why Not YP?’ programme, which offers a comprehensive overview of professional accountancy certification, including guidance on institutional applications and financing options.
“Our target is 2,500 people, and so far, 1,500 have received offer letters from Yayasan Peneraju. There are approximately 500 to 1,000 places left to meet the target, and for this, we (Yayasan Peneraju) want to provide opportunities to participants from Borneo, especially Sabah.
“We take in SPM leavers aged 17 to 18 and provide three to four years of training, including examinations under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). By the age of 21, they will be ready to seize job opportunities awaiting them,” he told Bernama here today.
According to him, the foundation collaborates with three professional colleges to provide the training and education, namely Sunway University in Petaling Jaya, as well as INTEC Education College and TYMBA Education in Shah Alam.
In addition, Ibrahim said graduates with certifications from bodies such as ACCA and ICAEW enjoy high employability due to strong market demand.
“There is a gap in talent to fill roles in the industry. Their careers are not only with the ‘Big Five’ firms, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG, but also with companies like Petronas (and) banks like Maybank and CIMB.
“Yayasan Peneraju is also working not only with companies like Maybank and CIMB but also with professional accounting bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW, CPA Australia, and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants,” he said.
On the ‘Jom Explore! Why Not YP?’ programme in Sabah, Ibrahim expressed hope that the initiative, held at five locations including Tawau and Tuaran, would achieve its goal of enrolling over 250 SPM leavers in chartered accountant training.
He also hoped the Tawau edition of the programme, launched by its MP Datuk Lo Su Fui today, would attract over 50 potential talents to receive proper training.
Ibrahim said the foundation also provides funding, including scholarships, for students undergoing the training.
He added that Yayasan Peneraju is committed to developing a skilled and resilient bumiputera workforce that can contribute to Malaysia’s future progress.
-- BERNAMA
