Penang:The Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) is hopeful that Budget 2027 will continue to prioritize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to enhance skills training for school leavers, particularly in rural areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, PERDA general manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum expressed the agency's desire for government allocations to boost student intake at Institut Kemahiran Tinggi PERDA (PERDA-TECH) in line with upcoming program introductions. PERDA receives approximately RM6 million annually for TVET and anticipates a comparable allocation this year to further its plans.
Next year, PERDA plans to introduce new programs including a Diploma in Agricultural Agrotechnology, a Diploma in Fashion Design, and a multimedia program, with an ongoing emphasis on manufacturing technology. The announcement was made during the 2026 PERDA Expo (EXPERT) launch at Midtown PERDA Kubang Menerong, officiated by Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
PERDA-TECH currently offers 16 study fields at certificate and diploma levels, accommodating up to 450 students per session with around 1,000 students enrolled in various skills programs annually. PERDA is also advocating for rural development in Penang to be prioritized in the budget to maximize resident benefits.
PERDA chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin highlighted the agency's focus on the halal sector and entrepreneur empowerment in Penang. With nearly RM40 million allocated for developing the PERDA Halal Park in Kubang Menerong, construction of 22 new industrial units is imminent.
The 22 new units will expand the park to 49 units, making it a significant halal industrial area in northern Malaysia. The existing units cater to the food and beverage sector, while new units will include other sectors such as pharmaceuticals. Plans for a research and development laboratory and product exhibition space are also in the works.
Shaik Hussein emphasized that the PERDA Halal Park, having received Halal Malaysia (HALMAS) recognition, aims to assist entrepreneurs in obtaining halal certification and accessing broader markets. The development project continues from Phase One, completed in 2015, with Phase Two's groundbreaking officiated in April by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.