In an urgent bid to generate a skilled pipeline of knowledge workers to support the country's industries and lure investments, the federal government is gearing the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to give particular focus on education and human resource development. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop told that the plan is to be implemented from 2011 to 2015; it was being drafted ahead of schedule to give enough time to iron out the details of allocations for the critical economic plan. He mentioned that government will make efforts to ensure building the physical infrastructure for the economy, as well as preparing appropriate human resource supply to protect and boost the industries.
The allocations for the 10MP must be attuned towards developing a reservoir of professionals, particularly for industries identified to spearhead the economy by 2020. The Penang government recently said a certain foreign multi-national investor was forced to drop plans to invest Euro3 billion (RM10.2 billion) in the state as it could not be assured of a ready pool of 1,000 electronics and engineers that it needed. Nor Mohamed told that the plan would ensure necessary allocations to facilitate proper teacher training and syllabus preparation geared towards science, technology and relevant fields for industries.
