CIDB Engagement Session with Stakeholders
On 1 August 2024, The Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia (TEEAM) attended the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB’s) Engagement Session with Stakeholders. This meeting was held at the CIDB Headquarters situated at CIDB 520 in the MET Corporate Towers in Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. During this important session, TEEAM managed to effectively engage with CIDB and various Stakeholders from the construction industry.
The primary purpose and agenda of this Engagement Session were to collect feedback and enhance the existing programmes the Board offered. Because the Stakeholders consisted of Contractors, Developers, Engineers, and Government Representatives, the scope of the topics covered was broad. This session provided its participants with a Forum to engage with each other and exchange insights into innovation and best practices in the Construction Sector.
By gathering diverse industry players, the engagement session was a good and ripe opportunity to share knowledge and establish partnerships which might result in increased efficiency and sustainability in construction practices. To that noble end, TEEAM made the most of its involvement in the meeting by pro-actively raising 3 significant points of discussion. First, TEEAM, represented by Ir. Chang Yew Cheong (President) and Dato’ Andy Tan (Honorary Treasurer), urged the Government to standardise all of its Training Programmes to ensure consistency, efficiency and quality in a cohesive and coherent Syllabus for industry professionals.
Secondly, TEEAM stressed the need for the Board to focus on overseeing that local and foreign workers alike undergo rigorous training to make sure that they are adequately equipped with necessary skills and critical knowledge of best practices in Safety before they are allowed to work on projects at construction sites. This urgent and stringent requirement will contribute to the construction workers’ effectiveness while maintaining a certain minimum level of standard throughout the industry. Last but not least, our esteemed Association put forth a valid suggestion that the Board propose to the Government Cabinet that the HRD (Human Resource Development) levy on Contractors be scrapped.
TEEAM suggested this proposal due to the widely-known fact that the CIDB already collects a levy from Contractors whilst providing training for them. This proposal will greatly decrease the financial strain placed upon Contractors and optimise the resources utilised within the industry as well as streamline the processes for the benefit of all Stakeholders. With those very important points tactfully raised and cordially addressed, the eventful session concluded on a productive note!
Giving credit where credit is due, CIDB must indeed be lauded and applauded for its desire to be transparent and accountable to its Stakeholders. The constructive dialogue was not only a mere exchange of ideas but also a strategic initiative to improve the Construction Industry’s performance, refine industry policies and practices, maintain the industry’s relevance and ultimately positively boost its competence.
