KUALA LUMPUR, 28 AUGUST 2008 - The Malaysian government’s Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and UK Standard Chartered Bank’s shared services subsidiary, Scope International Malaysia, have launched a programme to help fresh graduates better meet employers’ needs.
The MSC Malaysia Undergraduate Apprenticeship and Development (UGRAD) -Scope International Programme is designed to enhance the employability of fresh graduates in the country.
MDeC chief executive officer, Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali, said that the programme would be provided under the MSC (Multimedia Supercorridor) Malaysia K-Workers Development Initiative. It would offer practical training for undergraduates nationwide, to cultivate an industry-relevant talent pool for both the information and communications technology (ICT) and banking industries in Malaysia.
Graduates chase banking and ICT jobs
Badlisham said that careers in the ICT and banking industries were among the most sought-after in the Malaysian job opportunities landscape. “The programme will not only provide an edge for Malaysian graduates to face the challenges ahead, it will also prepare them for seamless entry into the highly competitive global ICT and banking sectors upon graduation.”
He said the UGRAD-Scope International Programme is a six-month programme structured around five Specialist Courses from which students have the opportunity to select any one.
In addition to five Specialist Courses, the programme would also offer two compulsory core modules called Business Communications and Customer Service Excellence.
Scope International Malaysia’s chief information officer and director, Arif Siddiqui said: “Upon successful completion of the programme and assessments, these graduates will have the opportunity to be absorbed as an employee of Scope International and also the opportunity to work in any Standard Chartered office worldwide, based on international assignments, as they progress in their careers.
“More importantly, the graduates would have obtained intensive ‘hands-on’ and real-time training of world-class standards as required by a leading international bank,” said Siddiqui.
MDeC’s Badlisham said: “The needs of various industries in Malaysia, particularly the ICT and banking sectors, are changing more rapidly than ever. Graduates need to be kept abreast with the demands of these industries, especially fresh upon graduation and in the midst of seeking job opportunities.”
