SME Bank aims to train 100 B40 Malaysians for jobs paying between RM1,800 and RM6,000 a month under its latest skills programme.
The bank has launched Zero to Hero 3.0 with GIATMARA and Zurich General Takaful Malaysia under Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) iTEKAD Employment initiative.
Participants will receive industry-recognised training in welding and metal fabrication, financial education and job placement support.
The salary range reflects expected earnings rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Samad Majid Zain, CEO of SME Bank, said,
“The first cohort supported 30 participants in 2022, followed by 60 participants in 2024.
All 90 participants secured employment, achieving a 100% employment rate.”
GIATMARA will handle participant selection, technical training, certification and job placements.
Zurich General Takaful Malaysia will provide funding, one year of takaful protection and financial education.
The programme will run from 2026 to 2027 under BNM’s iTEKAD Employment initiative.
BNM launched the initiative in 2026 to improve employability and financial resilience among vulnerable communities.
The broader iTEKAD initiative has supported more than 14,000 low-income microentrepreneurs since 2020.
It has channelled over RM94 million in social finance funds and approximately RM77 million in financing and investments.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia, based on image by SME Bank
