ECERDC Launches Empower In Bentong

7/31/2010 — BERNAMA
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) today introduced its latest human capital development initiative known as “empower” in Bentong, Pahang, in an effort to boost the academic achievement and employability of the locals.
The main objective of the programme is to increase the household income of Bentong residents via education and entrepreneurship skills training as well as reduce poverty level in the area, the council said in a statement Saturday.
“The 10-month project, which commenced in April, involves a pioneer batch of over 1,000 local residents comprising students, the unemployed, school leavers, fresh graduates and single parents who live in Bentong,” it said.
ECERDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John said the “empower” Bentong project would act as a pilot project that would be replicated in other areas within the region.
He said human capital development assumed a key role in ECER’s economic growth, particularly in enhancing the competitiveness and skills of the local workforce, to ensure they are well-prepared to meet employers’ expectations and industries’ needs.
The “empower” Bentong consists of two programmes aimed at different target groups namely, academic skills training for primary and secondary school students and entrepreneurship skills training for the unemployed, school leavers, fresh graduates and single parents.