SIRIMLink, Issue #1, 2013

Driving innovation through technology and quality

116-Mg-127-06-2013:GNPP 18091/05/2013(033524)

INSIDE Vol. 1, 2013

•WeldingandNDTtraining

•SMEdevelopmentinruralareas

•AvisittotheTerengganuSkillsDevelopmentCentre(TESDEC)

SIRIMLink

SKILLS IN NEEDMalaysianeedsmoretalentedskilledworkersinnewindustries

taLENtED bIotEchNoLogIStSThecountryneedsbiotechnologistsnowmorethanever

traINED to compEtEQualitymanagementtrainingprogrammesforlong-termsuccess

Meeting the talent needs of tomorrow’s industries

The SkillS MaSTerS

fb.com/SIRIM.Bhdwww.sirim.my @SIRIM_Berhad

aDVISorDr. Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof

chaIrpErSoNRaja Yahya Raja Ariffin

mEmbErSNoraini KassimAbdul Aziz LongDr. Abd Rahim SaadPn. Futom Shikh JaafarDr. Neelam ShahabDr. Kartini NoorsalMohd Ghazali Mohd YunosAzman HassanSalmah Mohd NordinZanariyah AliInderjeet Singh a/l Sohan SinghKaruwaharan a/l Rethinasamy

Abd Halim YacobRuhil Amani Zainal AbidinNurazlina Ismail

published and printed by:SIRIM Berhad1, Persiaran Dato’ MenteriSection 2, P.O. Box 703540700 Shah Alam, Selangor.

Toll Free: 1300 88 7035 Tel: 603 5544 6000Fax: 603 5510 8095

Writing, design and concept:Marcus Gomez & Partners Sdn BhdNo. 27, Jalan SS2/2,47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.www.marcusgomez.com

SIRIMLink is an official publication of SIRIM Berhad. The bulletin is distributed free to our clients, associates, business and research establishments. Copyright © SIRIM Berhad.

For further information on the articles featured in this magazine, please contact:

corporate communications Section Group Corporate Affairs DepartmentSIRIM Berhad1, Persiaran Dato’ Menteri Section 2, P.O. Box 703540700 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: 603 5544 6772Fax: 603 5544 6745Or email to: [email protected]

SIRIMLink

1SIrImLink 01/2013

W hen Malaysia first eMbarked on its drive towards industrialisation, few would have bet on the country achieving so much in so little time. several decades and accolades later, we can pat ourselves

on the back for a job well done. but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.

for any country to succeed, it is absolutely necessary that its workforce have the requisite skills and talent that the country’s businesses need to compete effectively in global markets. a skilled and talented workforce is also a big attraction to foreign investors seeking to expand their operations regionally, which is a boon to the country and its people.

Malaysia has done well to ensure that it has the right infrastructure and policies to encourage the continued training and reskilling of the country’s youth and small businesses, and siriM has played a crucial role in this respect. This issue of siriMlink highlights some of the programmes siriM offers to businesses and young

students, as well the collaborations siriM has struck up in the past with other government agencies. Many of these projects have contributed significantly towards the country’s industrialisation goals and community development. small businesses all over the country are now thriving because of the quality systems and best practices that they have learned.

The country needs to continue its training and develop a talented and skilled workforce among the grassroots. siriM is ready to do its part.

SkillED for SuccESS

ForEWorD

http://www.marcusgomez.com

NEWS & EVENTS 04• SIRIMbagsgoldattheMalaysiaTechnologyExpo

• AdeclarationschemewithEUtoreduceenvironmentalimpactof Malaysianbuildingmaterialcompanies

• Asolar-poweredaerationsystemaimedatincreasingincomeandexpandingbusinessforfarmersinSimunjan

fEATurES & iNTErViEWS 08SKILLS IN NEED

Malaysiaurgentlyneedstoraiseworkerskilllevelstomeetthehumancapitalchallengesof atransformingeconomy.Withthisinmind,theDepartmentof SkillsDevelopment(DSD)hasdefinedtheNationalOccupationalSkillsStandard(NOSS)tospecifythecompetenciesexpectedof skilledworkersineachindustry.SIRIMishelpingthecountrymeetitshumancapitalneedswithahostof trainingpackagesandcollaborationsdesignedforthefutureof thecountry... pg. 08

taLENtED bIotEchNoLogIStS

Malaysianeedsmoretalentedbiotechnologiststhaneverbefore,andSIRIMisworkinghardatensuringthatthecountryhasthemanpoweritneedsforthisboomingindustry... pg. 12

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CONTeNTSthE SKILLS maStErS: mEEtINg thE taLENt NEEDS oF tomorroW’S INDuStrIES

VOL. 1, 2013

LIcENSE to WELD

WithmajorprojectslikethePetronasRAPIDprojectinthepipeline,weldingandnon-destructivetesting(NDT)skillsetswillbeindispensabletoMalaysianindustry... pg. 16

traINED to compEtE

WithintensivequalityimprovementactivitiessuchastheTotalQualityFastTrackModel(TQFTM),SIRIMTrainingServicesoffersMalaysiancompaniescompletequalitytraining... pg. 20

thE WhoLE pacKagE

TherearegreatMalaysianproductsoutthere,butthepresentationof theseproductssometimesleavesmuchtobedesired.SIRIM’spackagingexpertscanhelp... pg. 24

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With RM12.7 billion in investments in 2012 alone, Malaysia’s biotechnology sector is booming. The country needs more biotechnologists than ever before. See page 12

T eaMs froM siriM berhad walked away with six medals, including a gold medal, at the recent Malaysia technology expo

(Mte) 2013, held at the Putra World trade Centre (PWtC) from 21-23 february, 2013.

The gold-winning accomplishment came from the team from the environmental technology research Centre (etrC) when they bagged a gold medal for their renewable energy resource Map of Malaysia (MyreMap) project, which focused on an inventory of renewable energy resources across the nation.

The MyreMap project, led by dr Chen sau soon, covers all of Malaysia’s biomass, solar, potential wind energy and micro hydropower energy resources in the form of geospatial distribution accessible via the internet. The database, designed to be used by executives and analysts, is a reflection of the availability of Malaysia’s abundant renewable energy resources.

siriM also won one silver and four bronze medals at the awards, which is organised annually by the Malaysian association of research scientists (Mars). The awards recognises exemplary and outstanding inventions and innovations within a multitude

of technology industries and is committed to the promotion and commercialisation of science and technology.

The other medal winners and their projects are as follows:

Silver Award: Multi orientation (8 axis) of tool Cutter Grinder by siriM’s Micro Precision Unit Commercialisation Centre.

Bronze Award: battery Management system for lithium ion batteries in light electrical Vehicle applications by researchers from the intelligence system section at bukit Jalil.

Bronze Award: holographic Photochromic film for smart Printing applications by researchers from the advanced Materials research Centre (aMreC) in kulim.

Bronze Award: digital imaging technique to Custom fabricate Prosthesis for Congenital symes by researchers from the industrial design Centre at bukit Jalil.

Bronze Award: a Green technology Carbothermal reduction Process (GtCrP) for synthesizing silicon Carbide using structured alteration local silica sand by researchers from aMreC, kulim.

SIRIMbagsgoldatMalaysiaTechnologyExpo(MTE)2013Six-medalhaulatpremiertechnology innovationexpoaddsyetanother feathertoSIRIM’scap.

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The booth for the Battery Management System for lithium ion Batteries in light Vehicle Applications at MTE.

NEWS

S iriM’s reneWable energy resource Map of Malaysia (MyreMap) bagged a Gold award and was declared the best

Green invention at the recently concluded international invention and technology exhibition 2013 (iteX 2013).

MyreMap is a one-stop reference for the viability of renewable energy applications. it collates data from the country’s nine major renewable energy resources and turns it into an interactive map with other supporting information such as transport and power grid lines. The interactive website is able to provide information from the perspective of spatial distribution as well as offer estimations of the amount of resources available at a particular site.

led by dr Chen sau soon and her assistants nini fatahna Muhamad sopian and shireen shaharina Mohamed shamaun, the project can be used for desktop studies and to produce reports for decision-making, strategic planning, research proposals and operational matters.

Meanwhile, dr Mohd ali and his two teams of researchers won two Gold awards for inventions related to lithium-ion batteries. The first was for the project titled

“silica based battery technology”, in which silicate-based material is extracted from sand and synthesised into active materials used in lithium-ion batteries. The other project is “lithium-ion battery for Green energy storage”. both projects aim to address issues such as battery performance, safety and high manufacturing costs.

an invention that uses rejected rubber gloves to replace the polyethylene commonly used as a binder in metal injection mould (MiM) systems also won a Gold award at iteX 2013. The project promotes component properties that are inexpensive, environmental-friendly and suitable for high volume production. The invention was developed by team leader noorsyakirah abdullah with nine other researchers.

another Gold award went to the “innovative educational robotic kit”, a product designed to help students and hobbyists understand the control systems used in robotics. The project is led by al Malek faizal Mohd amin assisted by five other researchers.

Winners of silver awards at iteX 2013 include “digital imaging technique to Custom fabricate Prosthesis for Congenital symes”, Multi layered security for Windows User Credential login system”, “holographic Photochromic films for smart Printing application” and “ seed Production integrated tracking system”. siriM researchers also received a bronze award for the project entitled “an improved battery Management system (bMs) for lithium-ion battery”.

SIRIM’smapof renewableenergyresourceswinsbestgreeninventionatITEX2013All 10 participating inventions at national innovation awards win medals: 5 Gold,4Silver,1Bronze.

SiriM’s delegation to iTEX 2013 with their awards.

I n leadinG the Way to nurture a vibrant green industry, siriM recently signed a rM8.8 million contract with the european

Union (eU) to develop sustainable production and consumption practices for Malaysian building material manufacturers.

The project, which aims to develop a quantitative environmental declaration scheme, will commence with a carbon footprint labelling programme in line with the global emphasis on climate change mitigation.

siriM will work on the three-year project alongside Uk-based Carbon trust, a leading independent carbon footprinting and management company. Carbon trust will help develop a standard eco-labelling scheme to enable companies to report on and demonstrate the environmental credentials of their products through the use of a credible and recognised label. The labelling scheme will incorporate key metrics such as water, waste, resource selection and efficiency and pollution.

This innovative project will see the development of guidance and piloting tools at scale. This will allow companies to measure and reduce the lifecycle environmental impact of their products, which is

of particular importance given the rapid growth of the construction sector.

The federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Malaysian Green building Confederation and building Materials distributors association of Malaysia are the local partners and the project’s domain experts. The construction and building material manufacturing industry was selected for the project as this sector is one of the most active in introducing innovative products to the market.

Project activities started with a kick-off meeting in late January and plans are underway for dialogues with industry stakeholders to ensure their participation as the project’s key beneficiaries.

“The project aims to contribute towards the growth of a vibrant green industry through continuous improvements in the sustainable production and use of materials and products,” said siriM Chief technology officer, ir. dr. Mohd Jamil sulaiman. “although this project focuses on one particular industry, the output can be replicated for other business sectors once the scheme’s overall structural framework is established. “

“eco-labels provide the all-important transparency that allows businesses to display their environmental credentials and enable consumers to purchase conscientiously, which is is key to the transformation of consumption a prerequisite for a green economy” said luc Vandebon, head of the eU delegation to Malaysia.

SIRIMandtheEUtoreducecarbonemissionsthroughcarbonfootprintlabellingRM8.8milliondeclarationschemeprojectsignedtoreduceenvironmentalimpactof Malaysianbuildingmaterialcompanies.

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from left: Pablo iglesias, representative of the Eu Delegation to Malaysia; Dr. Hugh Jones, Managing Director, Business Advice of carbon Trust; ir. Dr. Mohd Jamil Sulaiman, chief Technology officer of SiriM’s research and Technology Division; ir. loo Hip Peu, President of the Malaysian Green Buidling confederation; and Dr. chen Sau Soon, Senior Director, SiriM’s Energy and Environment flagship.

NEWS

S iriM reCently introduced the solaerator™, a solar-powered aeration system for freshwater fish pools to the fish farmer

community in kampung sabun in simunjan, sarawak. The system will benefit freshwater fish farmers in the area by helping them increase their fish stock, which in turn will lead to them being able to increase their income and expand their business.

The solar-powered aeration system is capable of feeding a continuous supply of oxygen to ensure the necessary oxygen levels in freshwater fish ponds, providing optimum living and breeding conditions for fish. developed by siriM, the solaerator™ system is funded by the socioeconomy Program for rural Community under the statutory funding of the Ministry of science, technology and innovation (Mosti).

datuk hj. fadillah yusof, the deputy Minister of science, technology and innovation was on hand to present the solaerator™ system project to the freshwater fish farmers’ association of kampung sabun. also in attendance were sarawak entrepreneur development assistant Minister tuan hj Mohd noraden hj. Majais, batang sadong Member of Parliament hajah nancy shukri, siriM berhad President and President and Chief

executive dr Zainal abidin Mohd yusof and freshwater fish farmers’ association President yahabi hamdan.

The fully solar-powered solaerator™ system not only saves on electricity costs but is also indirectly capable of supporting livestock areas that have no electricity supply. The use of a 24-hour, solar-powered supply reduces any risk of the oxygen feed to the pond being interrupted, a problem which fish farmers in the area constantly face. depletion of oxygen in the water can cause fish to die, which is especially taxing when it occurs close to the time fish are being harvested.

apart from producing oxygen through the use of solar power, the solaerator™ system also ensures water in the pond is being circulated. its aerator system, which is located at the bottom of the pond, releases air bubbles to circulate water sediment. This method replaces the use of windmill aeration systems, which are only capable of circulating water on the surface of the pond.

fish ponds that possess an optimum supply of oxygen and high-quality water allow fish to breed more easily. This in turn will lead to an increase in livestock production, thus adding to the income of farmers.

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SIRIM’sSolaerator™lendsahelpinghandtofreshwaterfishfarmersSolar-poweredaerationsystemaimedatincreasingincomeandexpandingbusinessforfarmersinSimunjan.

Datuk Hj. fadillah Yusof, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and innovation being briefed by SiriM officers at the presentation ceremony.

NEWS

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A s Malaysia advances toward its goal of becoming a high-income nation, now is a good time to take stock of our

strengths by leveraging our assets. We are blessed with well-developed infrastructure that includes ample office buildings, reliable power supply and growing internet access. these are all crucial ingredients for the transformation of our economy.

however, the most crucial factor of all is the human element that drives each industry. developing the technical skills and capabilities for a high value-added, knowledge-based economy is no simple matter. from automotive manufacturing to biotechnology, each and every sector of Malaysia’s diverse economy requires a different set of specialised skills and competencies. to ensure that the human capital development of the country does not fall behind, the relevant

training programmes need to be coordinated and focused on achieving real results.

this weighty responsibility falls upon the shoulders of the department of skills development (dsd), a government agency under the purview of the Ministry of human resources.

Paths to comPetency

to provide a comprehensive listing of the skills and training needed for each sector, the dsd has set out the national occupational skills standard (noss). The noss registry provides trainers and training participants alike with clear guidelines for the training activities that are needed for each area of expertise. noss helps workers to identify the skills they need for a particular occupation and plan their

professional development. at the same time, employers and training providers can use noss as a guide to determine the skills required by workers and develop training plans to meet the needs of specific occupations and positions.

there are a total of 29 industrial sectors listed in noss (see table 1), covering a wide range of occupations in the manufacturing, services, agriculture and resource-based industries. Within each sub-sector, each field of expertise is divided into five levels of Competency, ranging from level 1 (operational and Production level) to level 5 (Management level). each particular occupational skillset at each level has a specific occupational code and a syllabus defining the skill standard required.

Candidates that meet the training requirements of the

Malaysia urgently needs to raise worker skill levels to meet the human capital challenges of a transforming economy. SIRIM is helping the country meet its human capital needs with a host of training packages and collaborations.

skiLLs in need

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standard are awarded the Malaysian skills Certificate to indicate their level of competency. in addition, the noss also specifies national Competency standards, which are not awarded certifications, and lists the national dual training Curricula that are endorsed as standards.

Ready to tRain

thanks to its extensive experience in industrial techniques and cutting-edge technology, siriM is well-placed to assume a crucial role in the national drive to develop human capital, in line with noss specifications. siriM and its subsidiaries offer a wealth of training and development courses for workers in many of the sectors listed under noss.

beginning with sector 1: electrical & electronic, telecommunication & broadcasting industry, siriM can contribute training in areas such as electronic Product design and development, eco industrial design, Consumer electronics design and solar energy-Photovoltaic. in addition, siriM’s strengths in plant and machinery include capabilities in the industrial instrumentation & Control and advance Process Control sub-sectors of sector 1, and skills and knowledge applicable to many sub-sectors of sector 3: Machinery & equipment such as Welding technology & Metal fabrication, industrial automation & Mechatronic as well as non destructive testing (ndt) services. siriM can also provide training and knowledge in some areas of sector 5: transportation,

which includes sub-sectors dealing with automotive components and agricultural machinery.

over the years, siriM has conducted research and development in the area of advanced materials science, making it well-suited to provide training in sector 6: Materials, especially in the sub-sectors of Composites and Ceramics. With its broad experience in environmental technology and waste management, siriM can also provide training in the Waste Water treatment and Chemical treatment sub-sectors of sector 8: Chemical and in the Green building industry sub-sectors of sector 14: landscaping and environmental. siriM’s industrial biotechnology section has a long record of supporting the biotech business in Malaysia, and can provide training in various sub-sectors of industrial biotechnology under sector 20: biotechnology.

a caPable collaboRatoR

siriM is already active in several training collaborations around the country. to help produce skilled workers for the oil and gas (o&G) sector, siriM, an accredited a m e r i c a n We l d i n g s o c i e t y

satellite test facility, has provided technical advice and consultation to help the kedah industrial skill and Management Centre (kisMeC) achieve certification as an accredited test facility for testing welders and welding personnel. This achievement has made kisMeC the first such accredited facility for welding certification in Malaysia. in addition, the automation and robotics engineers at siriM have contributed their skills to help train students at UitM terengganu in a robotics Programme covering the topics of Programmable logic Controller and Programmable interface Controller.

siriM is also becoming increasingly involved in the Government’s industrial skills enhancement Programme (inseP), which is designed to bring up the level of skills and knowledge of graduates across the country, preparing them for the demands of industry. in March 2013, siriM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Perak entrepreneur and skills development Centre (PesdC) to provide training in welding, tooling, robotics and automation under inseP.

SKILLS IN NEED

however, siriM’s most fruitful training collaboration today is with the terengganu skills development Centre (tesdeC), where its instructors teach courses to support inseP as well as a biotechnology programme organised by biotechCorp and the Ministry of human resources.

technically sPeaking

nestled in the idyllic countryside of Marang, terengganu, tesdeC trains sPM leavers and graduate students in trade-related and technical skills. in addition to playing host to a biotechnology programme conducted by siriM, tesdeC also does its part to create the next generation of technicians, welders and maritime designers.

tesdeC has successfully hosted its biotechnology training programme since 2009. this programme, organised and funded by biotechCorp and the Ministry of human resources (Mhr), has brought a deeper understanding of biotechnology to hundreds of graduate students from across the country who have gone on to contribute to the country’s booming biotech industry.

for the students who come to study at this modern training centre, a training course lasting a few months is an eye-opening experience that can mean the difference between success and failure in their future careers. but for siti Meriam bt. Md ali, Chief Coordinator for the centre’s industrial skills enhancement Programme (inseP), it’s just one of the myriad offerings that helps

thousands of students every year at tesdeC.

“We have partnered with siriM for many years now, so we are quite familiar with them,” says siti Meriam. “siriM training services provides total Quality Management (tQM) training at tesdeC, and in 2013 siriM will also be conducting quality management courses for energy Management systems and the oil and gas (o&G) industry.”

bio-tRaining

the Malaysian biotechnology Corporation recognised back in 2007 that there was a need for a training course to get graduate students up to speed on the complex and challenging aspects of biotechnology. soon, everything came together: the Ministry of science, technology and innovation (Mosti) provided initial funding for the course,

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SItI mErIam: “We have partnered with SiriM for many years now, so we are quite familiar with them.”

IN DEmaNDSectors listed in NoSS registry,

18 December 2012

No. Sector

1Electrical & Electronic, Telecommunication & Broadcasting Industry

2 Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

3 Machinery & Equipment

4 Mechanical & Electrical Service And Maintenance

5 Transportation

6 Materials

7 Packaging

8 Printing

9 Chemical

10 Medical & Pharmaceuticals

11 Hospitality & Tourism

12 Souvenir & Small Enterprise

13 Building & Construction

14 Landscaping & Environmental

15 Interior Decor

16 Business Management

17 Textile & Apparel

18 Agriculture & Agrobased

19 Resource Based

20 Biotechnology

21 Education & Training Services

22 Oil & Gas

23 Halal Industry

24 Integrated Logistic Services Industry

25 Distributive Trade

26 Defense & Security Services

27 Care & Community Services

28 Art & Culture

29 Mining Industry

Source: Department of Skills Development

SKILLS IN NEED

tesdeC provided the venue, and siriM provided the expertise.

“our students come from all over the country, not just from terengganu,” says siti Meriam. “there are two ways that a student could enter the programme. either they can apply directly to tesdeC to join, or they could be chosen by biotechCorp to go through training.”

some of the participants are graduate students involved in science. these students may go on to become research assistants in universities in terengganu, such as Universiti Malaysia terengganu (UMt) and Universiti sultan Zainal abidin (UnisZa). a few may even make use of the course

to help them develop their own research projects. however, most of the participating students come instead from other fields of study, such as marketing, management and sports science, but intend to go on to biotechnology companies. once the training by siriM is complete, the participating students are sent for a three-month attachment period with selected companies that make use of biotechnology, such as food or herbal product manufacturers.

“if a student already has a company in mind, that is fine,” says siti Meriam. “for most students who don’t know where to go, biotechCorp helps to find companies for them through its connections with biotech

companies, including bionexus companies.”

malaysia’s next focus aReas

the partnership with siriM was a natural fit, as siriM already provides quality management courses in a wide range of areas for tesdeC. While tesdeC has its own instructors for its sPM leavers Programmes, its graduate programmes require more specialised trainers in areas such as quality. siriM’s experts teach courses at tesdeC for management systems such as iso 22000:2005 food safety, ohsas 18001:2007 occupational health and safety, iso/ts 16949:2002 automotive Quality Management as well as tQM.

“every state skills development centre covers different areas,” says siti Meriam. “once, when tesdeC was new, there was still some overlap in our courses with other centres. but today, the Ministry decides on the specific focus areas for each state. for instance, Pahang skills development Centre (PsdC) focuses on the fibre industry. for tesdeC, the focus is on the o&G as well as Maritime industries.”

tesdeC’s focus on o&G makes sense, considering the importance of offshore drilling in terengganu’s economy. in line with this, two new programmes from siriM will begin in 2013: iso 50001 energy Management systems, and iso/ts 29001:2010 for oil and Gas industry. for siriM, the focus is always on the future.

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a compEtENt buNchLevels of competency as defined by NoSS

Level of Competency Description

(Malaysian Skills Advance Diploma) Level 5 - Management Level

Competence in applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Requires very substantial personal autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of substantial resources. Is personally accountable for analysis and diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation. Specialised technical skills should be demonstrated.

(Malaysian Skills Diploma) Level 4 - Supervisory Level

Competence in a broad range of complex technical or professional work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts. Requires a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy, responsibility for the work of others and allocation of resources, and a higher level of technical skills.

(Malaysian Skills Certificate) Level 3 - Supervisory Level

Competence in a broad range of varied work activities, most of which are complex and non-routine. Requires considerable responsibility and autonomy, and control or guidance of others.

(Malaysian Skills Certificate) Level 2 - Operation and Production Level

Competence in a range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Some activities are non-routine and require individual responsibility and autonomy.

(Malaysian Skills Certificate) Level 1 - Operation and Production Level

Competence in a range of varied work activities, most of which are routine and predictable.

Source: Department of Skills Development

SKILLS IN NEED


TALenTed BiOTechnOLOgisTs

Malaysia attracted RM12.7 billion in biotechnology investments in 2012. This figure is set to rise to RM26 billion by 2015, but only if the country has enough manpower to support this growth. Malaysia needs more biotechnologists than ever before, and SIRIM is doing its part to train them.

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I t may come as a surprise to many consumers to learn that biotechnology, in various forms, has been applied in agriculture, food

production and medical practice for thousands of years. it has been a part of human history, in spirit, if not name, since yeast was first used to produce bread and bacteria were first used to produce cheese. the forerunners of today’s genetic engineers were farmers who improved the production of crops and livestock via selective breeding.

today, biotechnology plays an even larger part in improving and advancing the quality of life. defined by the Un Convention on biological diversity as “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use”, biotechnology advancements have helped society to meet some of its most pressing challenges.

the Malaysian Government understands the importance of biotechnology, and in 2005, the national biotechnology Policy (nbP) was introduced as one of the key strategic drivers to propel the nation’s social and economic development to greater heights (see box story, pg. 15).

as a leader in biotechnology research, siriM is very familiar with the ins and outs of this fast-evolving field. throughout the years, siriM’s biotechnology researchers have helped businesses develop products that are biologically safe for both society and the environment. now, siriM’s experts are lending their

skills to train students under bioskills, a biotechnology training programme for the Malaysian biotechnology Corporation (biotechCorp), an agency under the Ministry of science, technology and innovation (Mosti).

sowing seeds

since 2010, siriM’s biotech instructors have trained hundreds of graduate students in the

bioskills programme. biotechCorp, which was created to nurture and accelerate the growth of Malaysian biotechnology companies, is the organiser and funder of this three-month training programme at the terengganu skills development Centre (tesdeC) College in Marang, terengganu. siriM’s bioskills programme does not cater to science researchers per se, but instead provides a basic grounding in biotechnology principles for students from other fields who are entering the biotechnology industry.

for participants in the bioskills programme, the foundations of their study are laid out in the course Introduction to Biotechnology, Animal Testing and Quality Systems, taught by syamimi Md khalid.

“My module touches on the history of biotechnology and provides an introduction to its primary branches,” she explains. “i also provide a brief overview on the biotechnology industry in Malaysia and the country’s exceptional biotechnology infrastructure.”

Malaysia is also renowned for the rich biodiversity in its rainforests and other natural ecologies, and savvy biotech companies are eager to leverage this resource to meet market demands. syamimi’s course addresses this as well.

“We mainly teach students in fields such as marketing and management who are looking into biotechnology-based careers,” says rafidah saadun, an instructor who teaches students the basics of genes, dna and cloning. she adds: “We also train those with degrees in business, sports science or marketing.”

“throughout the years, SIrIm’s biotechnology

researchers have helped businesses develop products

that are biologically safe for both

society and the environment.”

SyamImI mD KhaLID: “My module touches on the history of biotechnology and provides an introduction to its primary branches.”

brEEDINg bIotEchNoLogIStS


by giving the students a good grasp of what biotechnology involves, the programme helps them to speak the language of biotechnology and understand the benefits of the products they will work with – all essential skills in the industry.

once the training sessions have been concluded, biotechCorp is responsible for following up with the students and ensuring that they are placed in relevant jobs in the biotechnology industry.

bRanching out

the training provided by bioskills represents just the beginning. as specified by the national occupational skills standard (noss), the biotechnology sector covers a great many occupations and

disciplines, divided between Medical biotechnology, agriculture biotechnology and industrial biotechnology. These are all areas in which siriM can provide more comprehensive biotechnology training to help accelerate the industry’s growth.

Medical (red) biotechnology encompasses medicines, diagnostics, gene/cell therapies and tissue-engineered products manufactured using biotechnological processes. an example of medical biotechnology is the designing of organisms to produce antibiotics and the fractionation of blood plasma to make proteins.

Under the healthcare new key economic area (nkea), the Malaysian Government has identified several potentially lucrative entry Point Projects

(ePPs) including the Malaysian pharmaceuticals industry, which will be potentially worth as much as rM13.8 billion by 2020. noss has not yet defined any positions under Medical biotechnology, but guidelines to these occupations will become increasingly necessary as the sub-sector develops.

raFIDah SaaDuN: “We mainly teach students in fields such as marketing and management who are looking into biotechnology-based careers.”


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agricultural (Green) biotechnology is used to improve crops in numerous ways, including genetic modification and designing transgenic plants, which contain genes from other organisms. these processes result in higher-yielding crops that not only promote a more efficient use of land and reduce cost, but also enhance their taste and quality. Under the agriculture nkea, the Government has identified one agriculture biotechnology ePP that will see increased foreign direct investments (fdi) in biological solutions in agriculture.

noss describes two alternate training paths for occupations in the agriculture biotech sub-sector, starting with various laboratory technician positions and ending with the biotechnology laboratory Manager and tissue Culture technology laboratory Management positions at the top of the training path.

industrial (White) biotechnology is applied to industrial processes and has the potential to transform energy production, mitigate the impacts of climate change and lead to more sustainable, greener and cleaner industrial processes. it is used in sectors such as chemicals, detergents, textiles and food, among others. Under the agriculture nkea, the Government has identified one herbal product ePP and one business opportunity through increased foreign direct investment in herbal products.

the industrial biotechnology sub-sector defined in noss includes two bioprocessing

Production training paths: one which requires herbal extraction technology training, and one that requires training in fermentation and Microbiology. the sub-sector also requires information technology (it) skills in the bioinformatics Programmer and bioinformatics assistant Programmer positions as well as laboratory instrumentation training under the instrumentation training path. this sub-sector is probably the one with the widest scope for commercial application.

if Malaysia is to continue to attract the billion-dollar investments in biotechnology it has so far, it must ensure that the country has the trained biotechnologists these investors need for their businesses. siriM is supporting the national biotechnology initiative by providing the training expertise the country needs to develop local human capital, just as it has with the bioskills programme. Malaysia needs more biotechnologists than ever before.

NatioNal BiotechNology Policy

The National Biotechnology Policy, which was announced in 2005, aims to create an integrated platform that allows scientific, business and funding groups to participate in building an ecosystem capable of sustaining the growth and progress of biotechnology. The NBP encompasses three phases – capacity building (2005-2010), creating business out of science (2011-2015) and turning Malaysia into a global player (2016-2020).

Nine major initiatives were outlined in the NBP, targeting biotechnological developments in agriculture, healthcare and industrial, human capital development and R&D and technology acquisition, among others. The initiatives are aimed at realising the country’s potential in the biotechnology sector and subsequently improving the quality of life, generating new wealth and income for both rural and urban populations and improving the socio-economic

status of the population as a whole.

Key features of the NBP also include the establishment of BiotechCorp, the creation of a network of centres of excellence comprising companies and institutions specialising in specific biotech sub-sectors called BioNexus Malaysia, competitive financial incentives, government grant programmes and tax write-offs as well as allowing retired scientists and lecturers to continue to do research until they’re 65 years old.

The second phase is now focusing on turning industries towards business and commercialisation. As of December 2012, all signs point to extremely encouraging growth for biotechnology. Local industries attracted investments of RM12.7 billion, surpassing the original target of RM9 billion for 2015. As a result, BiotechCorp has revised its 2015 target to RM26 billion.



License TO WeLd

A ll over the world no matter the industry, from construction to o&G, businesses rely on talents with

special skills and techniques to run smoothly. Metal parts need to be joined securely, while industrial systems in constant operation must be regularly tested. these skills continue to be as essential in Malaysia as they are anywhere else, if not more so.

our resilient economy has managed to keep growing at a time when many other countries are stumbling, with Malaysia’s GdP growth hitting 5.3 per cent in the first three quarters of 2012. as such, the captains of industry are eager to recruit the human capital

they need for an assortment of promising new projects. shipyards, construction projects and oil pipelines alike will require more certified welders than ever before, not to mention a fair number of ndt personnel.

fortunately, siriM has foreseen this and is more than prepared to provide training to help industries meet their hiring needs.

“We are an american Welding society (aWs) accredited test facility (atf),” says dr hasnah abdul Wahab, head of siriM’s Joining and inspection services department. “We provide training for Certified Welders (CW) and international agents (ia) and also offer ndt training for ultrasonic

testing. these are skills needed in many industries, although most of our training is for the o&G industry.”

holding industRies togetheR

as Malaysia’s agency for supporting industrial development, it’s hardly a surprise that siriM possesses a wealth of in-house welding expertise. ever since modern arc welding techniques were developed at the end of the 19th century (see figure 1: timeline of Welding), welding has been a ubiquitous industrial activity. for any kind of work that involves the joining of two or more pieces of metal, welding is nothing

SIRIM trains diploma students, fresh graduates and jobseekers to take on crucial tasks such as welding and non-destructive testing (NDT). With major projects like the Petronas RAPID project in the pipeline, these skillsets will be indispensable to Malaysian industry.

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less than the glue that holds industries together.

siriM is the sole body in Malaysia to be accredited as an aWs accredited test facility. this means that siriM is uniquely qualified to produce trained welders who are recognised by one of the world’s leading organisations for welding certification, the american Welding society.

there are three levels of certification available at siriM’s well-equipped workshop, which features 25 welding bays. a welder with zero experience can become a Certified Welder (CW) within three months, while an experienced welder can attain the certification in as little as five days. students also receive instructions on how to pass the aWs certification exam. to pass the exam, students

must perform clean welds on a test specimen without producing cracks, bubbling or other flaws.

once the welder has been certified as a CW, their information will be available on the aWs website for prospective employers to see, and they are entitled to bear a wallet card indicating their aWs certification.

a CW can also come to siriM for further training as a Certified Welding inspector (CWi). from there, the welder can then take the next step to train as a Certified Welding engineer (CWeng).

“our welding training can be an important value-add for diploma

programmes at local polytechnic colleges,”

says dr hasnah. “in addition, our aWs

training does not have specific

education

Bronze Age And Iron AgeEarly forge welding techniques.

1881-1882Nikolai Benardos invents carbon arc welding, the first electric welding method.

1900Acetylene blowtorch invented.

1914-1918World War increases adoption of welding processes.

1919American Welding Society (AWS) founded to standardise welding in manufacturing.

1930s and 40sMany developments in arc welding, especially during World War II.

1958Electron beam welding invented.

1960Laser beam welding invented.

tiMeliNe oF WelDiNg

Dr haSNah abDuL Wahab: “Anyone can study to read gauges and operate testing equipment, but welders also have to be physically capable and willing to bear the discomfort of the work.”

WELDINg aND NoN-DEStructIVE tEStINg


requirements. Unlike the welding training offered by the JPk (skills training department, Ministry of human resources), you don’t need any special academic qualifications.”

the Right stuff

if a week of training was all it took, there would be no end of candidates for welding training.

“believe it or not, it’s harder to be a welder than a technician,” explains dr hasnah. “anyone can study to read gauges and operate testing equipment, but welders also have to be physically capable and willing to bear the discomfort of the work.”

because of the hazards of welding, such as burns, electric shock, damage to vision and inhalation of toxic gasses, welders are required to take precautionary measures and wear personal protective equipment.

Welders working on offshore o&G platforms face some of the most demanding physical requirements of all. that shouldn’t be too surprising – offshore working environments are known to be potentially harsh and hazardous.

“Just to work offshore, welders and other offshore workers must prove their fitness by meeting body mass index (bMi) limits,” dr hasnah elaborates. “in addition, they must undergo special helicopter escape training in case of forced water landing.”

Whether they’re willing to work offshore or on land, those

hardy individuals willing to take up the challenge can earn impressive wages. Pay for CWs can range from rM1,500 to as much as rM4,000, depending on their skills and the welding process.

there are good reasons for the high starting salaries: new o&G projects are on the rise around the world, and welders have a high turnover rate. Many qualified welders are drawn away from Malaysia to work in saudi arabia and other oil-producing countries in the Middle east, where the

pay and perks far outstrip what is offered locally. even in Malaysia, welders in the o&G industry often have to live far away from their families, in isolated locations. but for some, the high pay is a worthwhile reward.

“if they have enough skills and experience, welders can eventually move up the career ladder and become a CWi or CWeng,” says dr hasnah. “Most CWs will gladly leap at the opportunity for higher pay and the responsibility of supervising other welders.”

the magic touch

While certified welders are in hot demand, the oil and gas (o&G) industry along with many others also need skilled personnel to conduct testing and inspection on their facilities and systems. This is where non-destructive testing (ndt) comes in.

ndt is a diagnostic technique that can find flaws and cracks in components without having to cut them open. it is especially important for oil pipelines and refineries, where machinery and systems must keep running day and night.

“for instance, we know that oil pipes tend to weaken and grow thin in certain areas. With ndt, we can specifically check for these problems and determine when a component needs to be replaced,” explains dr hasnah

in heavy industries where shutting down a system for just a short while can mean a substantial loss of productivity and revenue, ndt helps operators to spot potentially costly problems before they can arise and plan for the replacement of parts with a minimum of fuss and lost productivity.

While the local supply of ndt technicians is not dwarfed by demand as in the case of welding, ndt is still an important skillset for various industries. Ultrasonic testing (Ut) training is especially useful, as this is one of the most commonly used ndt technologies and continues to evolve every day. Ut techniques are used to inspect pipes and other structures by

“oil pipes tend to weaken and grow thin in certain

areas. With NDt, we can specifically check for these problems and

determine when a component needs to be replaced.”


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the WelDiNg leaDer

When the First World War ended in 1918, manufacturing had been forever changed by the adoption of modern welding techniques. The mass production of weapons, tools and vehicles would not be possible without welding. To advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines, the American Welding Society was founded in 1919. Since then, the US-based non-profit organisation has been a leader in supporting welding education and technology development across all the fields that employ welding. The AWS has over 66,000 members worldwide,

from scientists and researchers to educators, inspectors, engineers and welders.

In addition to providing certification programmes around the world, the AWS also produces magazines and technical publications on welding and joining. The body also supports education and research in welding and related technologies through the AWS Foundation, and helps companies to showcase welding equipment and technology every year at FABTECH, which is the largest welding-related event in North America.

passing ultrasound waves through the material to determine thickness and find flaws.

siriM, which offers its own ndt services to local industry, is recognised by Petronas as a ndt training provider and is accredited to provide training for Ut technicians. as with aWs welding certification, there are three skill tiers for Ut training: Ut level 1, Ut level 2 and Ut level 3.

“While there are other companies offering Ut training, we are the only local body accredited to offer up to Ut level 3,” says hasnah proudly. “in fact, we are negotiating with universities to offer a special course that allows students to receive training up to Ut level 2 without going through a separate course for Ut level 1 first. this saves time and cost for those who want to reach the more advanced level.”

the “direct access to level 2” course will take about three weeks to cover all the materials needed. however, would-be Ut technicians are not certified for Ut level 2 until they also have at least a year’s experience in a relevant industry. this requirement is flexible, meaning that the candidate can get the experience before or after they take the course. as soon as all the requirements are met (such as the work experience requirement), the candidate will be certified for Ut level 2.

there are other advanced ndt techniques offered by siriM’s engineering services team, such as time of flight diffraction (tofd), alternate current field measurement (aCfM), phased array

ultrasonic (PaUt) and infrared thermography. radiography testing is another common technique which uses ionising radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays to penetrate various materials to inspect them for flaws. today, radiography is taught only by nuclear Malaysia, but that may soon change. siriM has requested accreditation to provide radiography training, in the hopes of becoming an important source of skilled radiography technicians for local industry.

foRging ahead

although welders and ndt technicians can find many job opportunities across different industries, the main market for these skills in Malaysia lies in the o&G industry. The success of projects by companies such as Petronas, shell and sapura

kencana will depend on finding enough certified welders and ndt technicians. The ambitious Petronas refinery and Petrochemical integrated development (RAPid) project in Pengerang, Johor is worth tens of billions of ringgit and will recruit heavily from the ranks of Malaysia’s welders.

“When the raPid project begins, the local talent pool will be challenged to keep up,” says dr. hasnah. “although we trained 200 new welders in 2012 and expect to train 300 more by the second quarter of 2013, raPid is expected to create 4,000 welding job opportunities this year!”

With mega-projects like raPid and the kl Mass rapid transit (Mrt) system in the offing, the future is bright for welders and ndt technicians. siriM is ready to offer that future to them.


In today’s competitive market, business as usual may not be enough to make a real difference. With more intensive courses and quality improvement activities, SIRIM Training Services can now help ensure its clients are better prepared to handle the challenges of modern business.

TrAined TO cOmpeTe


T he business world is a lot like a river: it never stands still, and if you can’t keep up with the pace, you’ll be all

washed out. in the same way that self-improvement activities are crucial for career-focused people who want to stay competitive, it is important for organisations to implement improvement initiatives if they want to get an edge over the competition.

Malaysians are no strangers to quality control and quality management practices. Matsushita Co (M) ltd introduced the first quality control circle (QCC) in Malaysia in 1971, and quality practices entered the national spotlight in 1983 when the Prime Minister of Malaysia launched the national Productivity seminar and Quality Campaign as part of the government’s look east Policy. soon, companies and government agencies across the country began adopting work culture and practices from partners in Japan and korea, leading to a quality and productivity revolution.

however, all these quality initiatives require constant training and reskilling to keep the culture alive and well. new hires must be inducted into these quality initiatives so that they know what they mean and how they work, while existing employees must be reminded of the quality practices that contribute towards their company’s bottom line.

a quality tRaining PaRtneR

siriM has played an important role in the spread of quality activities in Malaysia, partnering with Jetro to conduct a seminar on tQM as early as 1986. in 1991, siriM and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) jointly launched the regional Quality Program, and in 1994, siriM launched the total Quality Practices model for the special needs of sMes.

today, siriM training services continues to promote quality in Malaysian industry. siriM training is a leading centre of quality training, providing a wide range of training and consultancy services to help both private companies and government agencies improve their organisational competitiveness. siriM training provides courses for quality and best practices, including Green 5s ( Japanese housekeeping), standards-based management systems (sbMs)

such as iso 9001 and ohsas 18001, and many other methods.

“We raise the global competitiveness of organisations through training and consulting on technology, quality and best practices,” explains dr Mohd azman idris, Chief operating officer of siriM training. “to achieve this, we offer both public and in-house courses to cater to the different needs of customers.”

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Dr mohD aZmaN: “We raise the global competitiveness of organisations through training and consulting on technology, quality and best practices.”

“We raise the global competitiveness of organisations through training and consulting on technology, quality and best practices.”

traINED to compEtE

every business that siriM training serves has its own unique training needs, and some technology training courses may only be of use to certain industries, such as siriM’s welding and non-destructive testing training courses.

on the other hand, as an iso-certified training provider, siriM training also offers courses for iso 29001, ohsas 18001, ts 16949, Ms 2300, haCCP, iso/ieC 17025, iso 22000 and many more internationally recognised standards. some of these management systems, such as iso 9001, can potentially bring benefits to just about any organisation. in fact, the ubiquitous iso 9001 is one of the most popular quality management tools on the planet, with over one million certifications around the world.

“because there are so many courses available, no trainer can expect to get by with proficiency in just one kind of course,” says dr azman. “each consultant should have at least three specialties, and preferably even a sense of humour – Malaysians are reluctant participants in training programmes and sometimes do not engage with the material. a trainer that horses around a little tends to keep their attention.”

With a team of 25 trainers and consultants, siriM training has the capacity to cover a wide range of courses in quality management systems. siriM training is also a registered training provider under Pembangunan sumber Manusia berhad (PsMb) under the human resources development fund. but training is more than just a business for dr azman and his team.

“We keep our eyes on the end game,” explains dr azman. “We know that Malaysia’s human capital must keep pace with the developed world if it is to reach its high-income targets. knowing that we are doing our part towards achieving this goal keeps us motivated.”

it’s all about Results

siriM training’s success stems in large part from the company’s results-oriented approach towards

upgrading the technological skills and capabilities of local industries. The benefits of a management system or method can sometimes be hard to judge, and not every quality activity produces measurable results. That is why dr azman frequently recommends that organisations start with siriM’s total Quality fast track Model (tQftM)

“We are committed to providing quality training that produces results,” says dr azman. “With the total Quality fast track Model, an


staNDarDs WaNteD

In 2011, SIRIM Training conducted a survey of 1,000 certified Standards Based Management Systems (SBMS) organisations and collected reliable responses from 17 per cent of those surveyed. The results included a breakdown of management systems standards adopted, a breakdown of other improvement tools, techniques and best practices, as well as the perceived benefits and difficulties encountered.

The survey revealed that ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 were the most adopted standards among Malaysian companies, with ISO 9001 having the highest adoption rate (86%). The trends showed that OHSAS 18001 was becoming more popular among construction and building companies while MS 1500 (Halal), GMP and MS 1480 (HACCP) standards were becoming increasingly popular for the food industry.

Of all the best practices and improvement tools and techniques, 5S (Japanese Housekeeping) was the most frequently adopted, followed by TQM and ICC/QCC. Respondents were especially keen to adopt practices such as Six Sigma /Lean Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing in the future – a definite indication of their will to improve over time.

The most frequently cited obstacle to implementation and introduction of SBMS and best practices was found to be difficulty in changing attitudes, followed by resource constraints. Meanwhile, the main reason for adopting SBMS was customer demand, followed by the need for performance improvement. Respondents also identified external benefits such as supplier communication, customer communication and vendor performance as being the most frequent benefits of SBMS implementation.

traINED to compEtE

organisation can see the benefits of a quality culture in less than three years, as opposed to conventional approaches which can take up to five years to cover the same ground. fast results usually bring about changes more quickly, and the organisation is able to adopt a quality approach to its business sooner rather than later.”

siriM’s tQM recognition scheme helps verify that the organisation has gained genuine benefits through its improvement initiatives, while incentives such as the Prime Minister Quality awards and deming awards can further measure the progress made through tQM.

in recent years, siriM training has also added new training modules that focus on

specific values and perspectives, such as sustainability and islamic values. these can enhance an organisation’s appeal among a specific group of customers such as Muslims or eco-conscious ‘green consumers’. however, the most intriguing new training programme by siriM training is Customer service Management.

“Companies should be prepared to offer world-class customer service if they want to win global customers,” says dr azman. “our Customer service Management training course and recognition scheme will be essential for any business that wants to take their customer service to the next level and compete internationally.”

the main beneficiaries of siriM training’s Customer service

Management programme will be senior and middle management personnel, customer services managers and customer-facing employees. the participants will learn to increase customer satisfaction in all areas, from reception and complaint-handling to knowledge management and contact centres. the idea is to make customer service a core value in the company – something that has become somewhat a best practice.

“Customer service is the ‘last mile’ in a quality-oriented organisation,” says dr azman. “you can make great products, you can have the lowest costs in the industry, you can have the cleanest facility in the country. but all of that means nothing if you are unable to engage your customers effectively and keep them happy.”

23SIrImLink 01/2013

5S JAPANESE HOUSEKEEPING

5S

STANDARDS BASED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSISO 9001, ISO 22000, TS 16949, TS 29001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001

SBMS

QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY & INNOVATION TEAMSInnovative & Creative Circle (ICC), Kaizen, 6 Sigma Team

QPIT

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENTBenchmarking, Employee Engagement Survey, Strategic Planning, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Self Assessment

TQM

TOTAL QUALITY FAST TRACK MODEL

traINED to compEtE


L et’s imagine that you’re an entrepreneur who has just invented Malaysia’s first gobstopper: a hard, spherical candy

with multiple layers sold in diameters ranging from one to five centimetres. sometimes called jawbreakers, gobstoppers are hugely popular in europe and the U.s. but have not yet caught on here. you intend to change that.

you have the painstaking manufacturing process down to an art, using large, rolling pans to deposit layer after layer of spices and sugar onto an aniseed core. you

ask your family and friends to try your Made-in-Malaysia gobstopper, and it is an instant hit – most have never seen a gobstopper in their life, let alone tasted one. after trying out a few recipes and pushing your idea through some serious family meetings, you decide to start a small business to make your product a household name.

you’ve got the perfect confectionery. Unfortunately, that is not enough.

the truth is that the packaging of your gobstopper is just as important as how great it tastes. a large part of consumer sentiment

about a product comes down to the way it is presented. Many entrepreneurs may not think the time and expense worth it, but making your product look good on a shelf often determines w h e t h e r or not it succeeds or fails.

Packaging goes a long way towards promoting an sMe’s brand identity, boosting sales and ensuring that a product stands out from the rest on crowded hypermarket shelves. these are tenets that abd halim yacob, head of siriM’s Packaging design section, is working hard to communicate to entrepreneurs.

“We give small and medium businesses the knowledge they

There is no shortage of great Malaysian products out there. Unfortunately, the presentation of these products sometimes leaves much to be desired. SIRIM’s Packaging Design section is working hard at educating entrepreneurs on the importance of making their products look good.

The WhOLe pAckAge

25SIrImLink 01/2013

need to put their products on supermarket shelves,” says abd halim. “Plastic packages with photocopied labels might be good enough for roadside stalls, but if you want your product in mass distribution channels, you need proper packaging.

an effective collaboRation

over the years, dozens of ministries, agencies and organisations and businesses have picked the collective brain of siriM’s Packaging design experts for support in packaging training and techniques. of these, the Ministry of rural and regional development (Mrrd) stands out because of its role in bringing packaging design to an often neglected market.

the Mrrd programme was aimed at developing dynamic and competitive rural bumiputera entrepreneurs and increasing their involvement in a range of industries and projects. Under the entrepreneur training and Guidance programme, siriM has helped the Ministry to train thousands of rural sMes in the basics and finer points of packaging.

“We started collaborating with siriM on training courses in 2006,” says Zazali salehudin, who was the division secretary of the Ministry of rural and regional development’s economic empowerment division at the time of this interview. “We looked at the size of the sMe, whether it was at the basic or advanced stage of commerce as well as its business needs.”

siriM offers guidance and advice to entrepreneurs on numerous technological and business areas, including websites, brand and corporate identity design, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and of course, packaging training. if the business needs help, siriM also offers services ranging from initial concept right through to the final selection packaging materials and printing.

With Mrrd’s quality enhancement program, rural entrepreneurs were invited to participate in courses of their choosing by applying to agencies under the Ministry and the online rural economy training integrated information (e-sMile) system. once the entrepreneurs had selected their courses, the Mrrd would also suggest other modules that would give participating sMes an edge in business areas they had little experience in to enhance their overal competitiveness.

“these training courses were very much in demand,” says Zazali. “not only did entrepreneurs obtain knowledge and hands-on training, but they also received certificates.”

abd halim adds that a large number of entrepreneurs who underwent the training courses had very little understanding of what packaging is all about.

“sometimes, all they had was a sticker of the manufacturer’s name,” says abd halim. “they have little knowledge of food labelling or the food regulations act of 1985.”

Mrrd selected siriM to train these ‘baby’ businesses to

improve their packaging due to the company’s established track record as a training service provider and packaging expert. according to Zazali, the packaging training courses started with assisting new entrepreneurs to produce attractive packaging for their products but went on to tackle other issues that rural sMes may face.

“When they were ready, we also helped businesses improve their product quality and production processes, and where possible, we upgraded them to export status,” explains Zazali. “the three-day training courses also allowed participants to network among themselves and discover other training courses offered by the Mrrd.”

a change in diRection

a total of 4,359 entrepreneurs nationwide benefited

abD haLIm yacob: “Training workshops are organised by ministries or government bodies, but because they don’t have the manpower or expertise to cater to participants, they employ SiriM to handle their workshops instead.”

thE WhoLE pacKagE

ZaZaLI SaLEhuDIN: “from the feedback we received from entrepreneurs, we know there is still a demand and need for our courses.”


from 197 courses valued at over rM7 million conducted by siriM between 2006 and 2011. in a 2012 Mrrd field assessment report on sarawak, almost 90% of the participants who attended siriM-run courses had successfully started their business and manufactured their own products. Unfortunately, when the tenth Malaysian Plan (10MP) was unveiled, the Ministry’s focus was turned towards improving rural basic infrastructure under the Government transformation Programme’s rural development national key results areas (nkRA).

“as we shifted our focus under the 10MP in 2011, funding for our training programme was discontinued and as of now, we no longer offer these courses,” says Zazali.

instead, the Mrrd has been working with the Performance Management & delivery Unit (PeMandU) to develop more youth entrepreneurs and upgrade rural industries, increase the number of entrepreneurs and provide funding for their businesses under the rural economic financing scheme (sPed). the Ministry is also focused on the 21st Century Village (21CV) project, which aims to develop infrastructure in villages to create a sustainable economic hub providing employment opportunities for youth within the community and urban cities.

nonetheless, there is hope yet that the Mrrd’s training courses will make a comeback.

“from the feedback we received from entrepreneurs, we know

there is still a demand and need for our courses,” Zazali explains. “these entrepreneurs still hope to participate in them and as the Ministry itself is very satisfied with the previous training programme, we hope that we will be provided the budget to resume our courses by 2015.”

siriM’s schedule of training programmes certainly appears to support Zazali’s statement. the Packaging design team is sometimes on the road all year-round conducting workshops at government agencies or ministries such as the Ministry of agriculture, youth and sports Ministry and felda.

“training workshops are organised by ministries or government bodies, but because they don’t have the manpower or expertise to cater to participants, they employ siriM to handle their workshops instead,” explains abd halim. “sMe’s that want to participate in siriM’s packaging training programmes can visit these agencies anywhere in Malaysia to find out more.”

but if you think that these workshops are simple, two-day lectures that end with a c e r t i f i c a t e , think again. r a t h e r , s i r i M ’ s workshops are very

comprehensive and give participants all the knowledge they need to take their business to the next level. the workshop modules focus on the latest packaging trends, technologies and innovations, corporate identity, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), materials, design, current labelling rules and regulations and everything else related to the science, art and finance of packaging.

“a single government agency such as Mrrd might organise a workshop comprising 22 modules, with each module taking up to three days to complete,” says abd halim. “these workshops are typically attended by 30 participants or so, and some agencies or ministries have up to

thE WhoLE pacKagE

27SIrImLink 01/2013

500 sMes under them requiring training. We can reach out to thousands of small and medium business owners a year.”

tRends to watch

keeping track of the latest packaging trends and preferences is also another Packaging design hallmark. for instance, the most recent and popular packaging advancements in siriM are focused on green and active packaging.

Green packaging, or sustainable packaging, as the term implies, is the development and use of packaging systems that achieve their functional requirements with minimal environmental and social impact. Green packaging uses minimal materials and energy throughout the product life cycle and aims to reduce the reliance on non-renewable resources and instead recover them for reuse or recycling. all the packaging materials and components used in green packaging, including finishes, inks, pigments and other additives, are all perfectly eco-friendly and do not pose any risks to humans or the environment. naturally, this packaging costs more, but it can also result in higher profit margins.

active packaging, on the other hand, involves the use of materials that extend the shelf life and preserve the freshness of a product while improving safety and convenience. some examples of active packaging can include the use of anti-microbial films, materials that contain ultraviolet (UV) absorbers that may be used for products that degrade in the

presence of light and oxygen absorbers, which are added to packages containing oxygen-sensitive products so that they are protected against oxidative reactions.

“We keep abreast of the latest packaging trends and innovations and impart this knowledge to participants in our training

programmes,” stresses abd halim. “for example: oxygen has a very bad effect on the quality of packaged food, so one recent trend is to put oxygen absorbers into food products to ensure that the contents of the package stays fresh longer. this is a far cry from the photocopied labelled-and-sealed packaging many food businesses start off with.”

StayINg FrESh: The reason roasted coffee beans go stale is because of oxygen, which oxides the natural chemicals that give coffee much of its flavour. The obvious solution to this problem would be to use an air-tight container, but in fact, this is not a realistic option. roasted coffee beans continue to emit carbon dioxide long after the roasting stops. According to some estimates, as much as 10l of carbon dioxide is released per kilo of

roasted coffee, meaning that any air-tight container used would be prone to exploding after a very short time.

The preferred packaging today is to use pouches with “one-way” gas valves like the one pictured here. These valves allow carbon dioxide out of the bag but prevent oxygen from getting in, thereby preserving the freshness of roasted coffee for much longer.

thE WhoLE pacKagE


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SIRIMLink is read by the region’s leading research and development professionals. distributed four times a year, it offers businesses a unique opportunity to reach out to high income individuals and businesses engaged in research-intensive industries — a highly desirable demographic.

ADVERTISEMENT RATES 2012 (MYR)

Full ColourNumber of Insertions

1 2 3 4ROP 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000Back Cover (A4) 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500Inside Front Cover (A4) 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000Inside Back Cover (A4) 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500Specified Positions (A4) 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500Half Page Specified Positions 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500Half Page Specified ROP 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000

Send all advertisement bookings and other enquiries to:

Corporate Communications Section, Group Corporate Affairs Department, SIRIM Berhad1, Persiaran Dato’ Menteri, Section 2, P.O. Box 7035,

40700 Shah Alam, Selangor, MALAYSIA.Tel: +6 03 5544 6770 | Fax: +6 03 5544 6745 | Email: [email protected]

AdverTISemenT BookIng Form

15 NOVEMBER 2013 | SUNWAY RESORT HOTEL & SPA

Join us as we pay tribute to forward-thinking organisations that have taken bold steps towards enhancing the quality of their products and services. These companies and institutions have been certi�ed under various certi�cation schemes o�ered by SIRIM QAS International between November 2012 to October 2013, and Majlis SIRIM Industri 2013 is our chance to express our appreciation to them.

Tables (10 seats each) are priced at RM2,900 each. For more information, call Mimi Mastura at 03-5544 6522 or email [email protected].

Documents

SIRIMLink, Issue #1, 2013