SIBU: Only those who successfully complete the entrepreneurship course are eligible to apply for assistance for their small businesses in the Nangka constituency, said Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
The courses that run through a programme, namely Program Pemerkasaan Komuniti Berilmu, are jointly organised by Sibu Community College and Nangka Service Centre.
According to the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, small business operators can further develop and expand their businesses to a new level through the courses.
“This programme ran in four series last year, each of which featured four modules. Business owners must undergo all these modules before they can apply for assistance from me.
“Every module takes around five hours to complete, and in total, they only need to attend a 20-hour course. It is a short course run by a community college with a minimal fee of only RM1 per hour,” he said at a press conference after launching the programme today (Jan 29).
The Nangka assemblyman noted that last year, a total of 611 entrepreneurs participated in the programme.
Thus, he stated that they are hoping to have more than 1,000 entrepreneurs sign up for the programme this year.
He also noted that the courses include Basics of Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Business Module Canvas, and Digital Marketing.
“I believe that we must change in order to increase our local business operators’ income. We need to gather more knowledge and make sure our marketing is good.
“I’m sure we can do it; we just need determination and knowledge, and it will help them (small business operators) improve,” he said.
Meanwhile, asked whether a similar programme will be mooted in other constituencies in Sibu through cooperation with other people’s representatives, Dr Annuar said that it depends on the representatives’ decision.
“It’s a good idea, but I have to discuss it with them first.
“Perhaps we can approach them for this programme in the same way we collaborate to raise money for the Sibu Hospital’s equipment, or the college community itself can approach them,” he said.
Also present were the political secretary to the Premier Sayed Azmi Wan Junaidi and Sarikei Community College and Sibu branch director Zakir Hussain Ibrahim.
