Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
Just 14 weeks ago, most of them probably couldn’t tell you the difference between cloud computing and, well, actual clouds.
Today (10 December) in Kuala Lumpur, 50 fresh graduates are earning industry certifications that have Malaysia’s largest banks knocking on their doors.
They’re the second batch of PayNet’s Program Akar graduates, and their journey from complete beginners to cloud-ready professionals demonstrates how quickly Malaysia is working to close its digital skills gap.
Program Akar isn’t your typical university course – this intensive 14-week program, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), throws students straight into the deep end of cloud technology and digital payments.
“The future of the industry depends on a strong, digital-ready talent pipeline,” said Shafenaz Farouk, PayNet’s Chief People Officer.
And she’s not wrong – with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim constantly emphasising that multinational companies need young talent with tech skills beyond traditional textbooks, programs like this are becoming crucial.
The best part? It’s completely free; no hefty course fees, no hidden costs – just 14 weeks of intensive training that could land you a job at some of Malaysia’s top financial institutions.
What Makes Banks So Interested?
Here’s where it gets interesting: major players such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Maybank, Public Bank, CIMB, and Bank Islam have expressed interest in these graduates.
That’s not something you see every day with fresh graduates.
The secret sauce seems to be the combination of cloud skills and digital payments knowledge – exactly what Malaysia’s financial sector needs as it races to keep up with digital transformation.
“Cloud skills are fundamental to how Malaysia’s financial institutions run, innovate, and scale,” explained Hussein Mohd. Ali, AWS Malaysia’s Country Manager.
He added that these skills now form the backbone for Malaysia’s next phase of AI-driven transformation.
The Numbers That Matter
While we don’t yet know the specific success rate for Malaysia’s cohorts, the global AWS re/Start program has an impressive track record.
A total of 98% of graduates worldwide secure job interview opportunities – the kind of statistic that makes career counsellors very happy.
The program started in Malaysia with 100 students, with the first 50 forming a pilot batch at Asia Pacific University (APU).
With the second cohort graduating, PayNet is building solid momentum in building this talent pipeline.
(Pix: Paynet)
More Than Just Technical Training
What sets Program Akar apart isn’t just the cloud computing lessons.
Graduates walk away with multiple certifications: an AWS re/Start Certificate, AWS Cloud Practitioner certificate, Digital Payments Certificate, and a Values-Driven Enrichment Programme certificate.
That last one might sound fluffy, but it includes a two-day on-site training focused on values-driven development – something that matters when you’re handling people’s money and financial data.
This isn’t just about 50 graduates finding jobs – it’s about Malaysia’s race to build a digitally skilled workforce that can compete globally, tapping into AWS’s proven system that has trained over 31 million learners across 200 countries.
As Mughilen Rathakrishnan, CEO of World Education Placement Services, puts it: “Malaysia already has incredible talent; all they need is the right pathway.”
For these graduates, that pathway just became crystal clear, and for Malaysia’s financial sector, the talent pipeline just got a crucial boost – proving that in today’s digital economy, 14 weeks might be all it takes to transform your career prospects.
READ MORE: PayNet’s “Program Akar” Is Back — Here’s How It’s Prepping Youths For An AI-Powered Future
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.
