Penang, Malaysia, 22 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.

Improving Penang's Productivity and Capabilities in the Digital Economy

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 across industries, specifically in the manufacturing, electronics, and technology sectors. These programs will be delivered through short courses covering a range of technology-based topics to 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.

Inspiring and Accelerating Tech Talent Growth

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 come together 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.

Driving Digital Transformation and Innovation

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 the industry to prepare them for new technologies that emerge”, added ET Tan, CEO of PSDC.

About Forward School

Forward School is a revolutionary, new technology and future skills school based in Penang, Malaysia that equips aspiring tech professionals with industry-ready skills required for the fast-moving tech sector. Founded in 2019, Forward School aims to bridge the widening tech skills gap using non-traditional learning methods. Along with seasoned industry practitioners, Forward School has co-created syllabuses that hone real, in-demand employability skills, opening exciting global tech career pathways for its students. Forward School is also the first school in Malaysia to offer Income Share Agreements (ISA). For more information about Forward School, please visit www.forwardschool.edu.my

About Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC)

The PSDC was established in 1989 and is the first tripartite, industry-led skills training and education centre in Malaysia. Since its inception, the PSDC has grown phenomenally to become the premier learning institution in the country, dedicated to meet the immediate human resource needs of the business community and to support and strengthen business requirements. It has attained both national and international recognition as a truly successful example of shared learning and a model institution for human resource development to be emulated within and beyond Malaysia. For more information about PSDC, please visit www.psdc.org.my

Media Contact
Zoey Teoh, zoey@forwardschool.edu.my
Neoh Sau Hun, neohsh@psdc.org.my