Kuala Lumpur: Yayasan Peneraju, an agency under the Ministry of Economy focused on developing and strengthening bumiputera talent, is targeting 2,500 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers this year to undergo training and education to become chartered accountants. Its chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani said the talent search is being carried out through the ‘Jom Explore! Why Not YP?’ programme, which offers a comprehensive overview of professional accountancy certification, including guidance on institutional applications and financing options.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ibrahim stated that the foundation has already issued offer letters to 1,500 individuals, leaving 500 to 1,000 slots available to meet their goal. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to participants from Borneo, especially Sabah. The programme targets SPM leavers aged 17 to 18, offering three to four years of training, including examinations under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). By the age of 21, graduates are expected to be prepared for job opportunities.
Ibrahim noted that the foundation collaborates with three professional colleges, namely Sunway University in Petaling Jaya, as well as INTEC Education College and TYMBA Education in Shah Alam, to provide the necessary training and education. He highlighted the high employability of graduates with certifications from bodies such as ACCA and ICAEW due to strong market demand.
He pointed out the existing gap in talent needed to fill roles in the industry, mentioning that careers are available not only with the ‘Big Five’ firms, including Deloitte, Ernst and Young, and KPMG, but also with companies like Petronas and banks like Maybank and CIMB. Yayasan Peneraju is also collaborating with professional accounting bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW, CPA Australia, and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
Regarding the ‘Jom Explore! Why Not YP?’ programme in Sabah, Ibrahim expressed hope that the initiative, conducted at five locations including Tawau and Tuaran, would achieve its goal of enrolling over 250 SPM leavers in chartered accountant training. He also mentioned the Tawau edition of the programme, launched by its MP Datuk Lo Su Fui, with expectations to attract over 50 potential talents.
Ibrahim reiterated the foundation’s commitment to providing funding, including scholarships, for students undergoing training, and emphasized Yayasan Peneraju’s dedication to developing a skilled and resilient bumiputera workforce that can contribute to Malaysia’s future progress.