ECERDC, UniSZA aim to train 100 Orang Asli in entrepreneurship programme

MERSING: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) is in collaboration with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) to train 100 Orang Asli participants this year under the East Coast Economic Region's (ECER) Skills and Entrepreneurship Training Programme Empower initiatives.

Empower ECER UniSZA project manager Roslie Zakarya @ Derahman said in an effort to create an entrepreneurial community, the Orang Asli community will be involved in the programme for the first time since its implementation in 2013.

He said the six-month programme, among others, provided exposure to online marketing techniques as well as training in customer service and engagement.

"This programme involves the Orang Asli community from Temerloh and Bentong in Pahang, and Mersing in Johor, wherein they have the opportunity to gain useful knowledge and experience as entrepreneurs for free.

"Therefore, I hope that the Orang Asli community in the districts will seize the golden opportunity to participate in this course, thereby increasing their income," he told Bernama here, today.

Roslie said the programme offers courses such as cake and pastry making, tailoring, hairdressing and styling, cooking and food preparation, as well as a special programme for the Orang Asli community in collaboration with the Department of Orang Asli Development.

"Besides that, there are courses on digital entrepreneurship, maintenance technician, a special community entrepreneurship programme in collaboration with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and the Mersing Tourism Association.

"There is also a special community entrepreneurship programme in collaboration with LKIM and the Endau Fishermen Association (in the development of seafood products)," he said.

The closing date for applications is April 15. For more information on this programme, visit the ECERDC Facebook page or visit the nearest ECER office.

ECERDC is a statutory body established to lead the implementation of the ECER in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Mersing district in Johor.

-- BERNAMA