Note from the editor:

Training 20,000 data professionals within the next 2 years may seem like a daunting task. Is it achievable in real terms. We wrote to Fusionex to ask a little about how they are running the training.

They shared that the courses offered include a series of Big Data Analytics (BDA) courses targeting different audiences’ needs. The popular ones include courses for Data Analysts, Data Engineers, and Data Scientists. Packaged competitively, the fee is also HRDF claimable so students of the program won’t be too burdened by the cost.

They also expect to assist the governments vision of training as many data scientists by taking on a newer younger generation of data professionals as well as to retrain existing members of the workforce to be more proficient in data technology. Together with PIKOM, the two companies will be working closely together with the government and other partners to make sure the target is achievable.

While the objective is noble, the task is nonetheless overwhelming at first glance. But it looks like they do have it under close scrutiny and with the proper collaboration, the unimaginable could very well be imaginable. We wish them all the best.

The full press release follows.

The National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom) has signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with big data analytics solution provider Fusionex for it to train local talents in the area of Big Data.
Fusionex will equip ICT professional with the right skills in line with the Government’s goal of achieving 20,000 data professionals by 2020, the organisation announced at the Pikom Leadership Summit 2017.
“We found there is a talent mismatch today as many graduates are not aware of what the industry is looking for today,” said Pikom chairman Chin Chee Seong.

“We are also working very closely with the Education Ministry and universities to design courses to align them with the demands of the tech industry.”

Fusionex managing director Datuk Seri Ivan Teh agrees, adding that many jobs of today will not be the jobs of tomorrow and the jobs of yesterday might not even exist in two or three years time.

“There is a real importance to align what the academia produces versus what the industry wants and that is an ongoing challenge and something we are really working hard to tackle now,” Teh said.
Among the skills that are in demand include data analytics and project management.

The industry body also inked an MoU with CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) to combat the recent rise of cyberthreats. It will give CSM access to security services and solutions from its members.
It also signed an MoUs with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) to promote the adoption of digital platform in the travel industry.

Chin says that most SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in the travel industry have yet to embrace and reap the benefits of digitalisation.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai who officiated the event, said that with the partnership, travel and tour agents should take the opportunity to market their services online and this is a step in the right direction in embracing digital economy.

“These initiatives will certainly help in expanding opportunities for the SMEs in their respective sectors and we need to keep up and embrace change as there is a rapid convergence between the physical and digital world,” said Chin.