Malaysia's TalentCorp Aims To Draw 100 Outstanding Youths For MyAPEC Youconnect By Year-End

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp) aims to draw about 100 top youths, aged between 21 and 30, by year-end to participate in its inaugural MyAPEC YouConnect programme. Malaysian International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Mustapa Mohamed said currently, 40 companies, comprising local and international firms, ranging from banking, electronic, telecommunications to airlines have joined the programme. "The companies also have their operations in other countries, so they understand the importance of developing outstanding human capital," he told reporters after officiating the MyAPEC YouConnect programme here, Tuesday. The programme is part of Malaysia's efforts under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to promote people-to-people linkage within the region. Under this programme, youths from 21 APEC member countries will gain valuable international work experience through short-term assignments with leading employers in APEC economies. The movement of talent and exchange of ideas across borders would help raise awareness of the opportunities and enhance connectivity within the APEC region. Mustapa said talents need to be more internationally minded, more internationally dynamic and competitive to succeed in this challenging and new borderless business environment. "The programme will be able to build outstanding human capital and beat future challenges," he said, adding that Malaysia was in the best position to take the lead in this initiative since it was modern, diverse, progressive and a moderate Muslim country. Mustapa also said other countries should follow suit. Those interested to participated in the MyAPEC YouConnect programme must hold a bachelors degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or second class upper. The successful talent will have the opportunity to work with an APEC economy for 4-12 months while youths from other APEC economies can also be placed with leading employers based in Malaysia on short-term work assignments. --BERNAMA