Youth entrepreneurship programme sees first batch of grads

THIRTY participants, hailing from unserved and underserved communities, have graduated from Credit Guarantee Corporation (M) Bhd’s (CGC) CGC100 Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (CGC100) — Comprehensive Track.

They are the first batch of graduates, representing diverse backgrounds and entrepreneurial paths, in the programme that is a collaboration with Education Ministry and the Pintar Foundation.

Aimed at empowering youth with entrepreneurship and soft skills, the CGC100 Comprehensive Track focuses on upskilling, reskilling and cross-skilling through an intensive 12-month course.

This programme encompasses sharing sessions by top industry experts.

CGC chairman Datuk Mohammed Hussein, when officiating the graduation ceremony, said: “CGC is committed to creating an ecosystem for MSMEs to thrive and prosper, because our ultimate goal is to see them develop into successful entrepreneurs.”

He said the Covid-19 pandemic and the recovery period following that two-year economic lockdown provided indelible lessons about the realities of business.

“Economic downturns are inevitable. It can affect everyone at the same time, including our interdependency – the supply chain.

“Business environment and operating conditions will change, and business skills and leadership are critical to cope with that – to recover, rebuild and reinvent the business, and respond to the challenges caused by changes in the business environment,” he added.

CGC president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak, in his speech, said: “CGC100 aims to inculcate entrepreneurial values among youth, advocating entrepreneurship as a career option.

“It is designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape.”

Darlene Cheng Key Li, 21, who runs a food-and-beverage business in Kuala Lumpur, credited the programme for enriching her business skill set.

“The programme offered insightful classes on financial management, marketing, digital reliance, and business pitching.

“Meeting different people from different backgrounds improved my business connections too,” she said.

Johorian Nurul Ain Aqilah Hamzha, 22, said she learned how to write a business plan as well as about marketing and branding. After each module, I applied what I learned to my business. My sales increased by 68% in two months!”

As for Nickrayco Kundi @Jusly. 21, from Sabah, the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme has provided business understanding that he could apply to his vehicle service workshop. “Interpersonal skills, personal branding and ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles are some aspects that can help improve business operations and growth,” he said.

The event concluded with the official launch of the second cohort of CGC100 — the Fast Track programme — a six-month intensive course dedicated to instilling skills and knowledge for candidates with bare minimum knowledge on entrepreneurship.

Twenty selected participants were inducted into the programme, which commenced with a session on “Core Values and Work Ethics” by Mohammed.

Also present at the ceremony were the ministry’s vocational technical education and training division chief assistant director Fakhriyyah El-Emin Muhardi and Pintar Foundation general manager Norzalina Masom.