Etiqa plants SEED for women and youth empowerment via entrepreneurship

• Aims to get the underprivileged to start their own business, or find jobs
• Etiqa sets aside RM1mil for this year, aiming to help 360 women and youth

 
INSURANCE player Etiqa has launched its ‘Socially and Economically Empowered Development’ (SEED) programme to help underprivileged women and youth become financially independent.
 
Part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) outreach, SEED aims to provide the opportunity for participants nationwide to acquire entrepreneurial and technical skills to start their own business or find employment.
 
SEED is a collaboration between Etiqa and two non-profit organisations – the Youth Trust Foundation (myHarapan) and the Foundation for Women’s Education and Vocational Training Malaysia (YVPWM).
 
myHarapan and YPVWM will assess and recruit participants, monitor and report on their progress, as well as provide support throughout and after their SEED training.
 
Etiqa has set aside RM1 million (US$236,000 at current rates) for SEED, according to Kamaludin Ahmad, chief executive officer of Maybank Ageas Holdings Bhd, the parent company of Etiqa Insurance Bhd and Etiqa Takaful Bhd.
 
SEED is targeting for 70% of its participants being able “to start their own business or secure employment and increase their monthly income,” he said at the launch in Kuala Lumpur earlier today (Feb 24).
 
However, he did not give any specifics.
 
Kamaludin said that for this year, SEED is looking to assist 360 individuals, comprising 150 women and 210 youth aged between 16 and 25.
 
“SEED will focus on women and youth with household incomes below RM3,000 specifically, and is divided into three intakes throughout the year, each lasting four months.
 
“Each intake will consist of 50 women and 70 youth,” he added.
 
According to Kamaludin, the participants of the programme will undergo a structured training and coaching programme in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing and financial management, to give them a better understanding of the business world.
 
“Once equipped with such knowledge, they will then select an area to specialise in, such as baking, sewing, fashion design or mechanical repairs. Such technical skills will support those who want to start their own business.
 
“While for those who are interested in getting employed, they will be provided with the relevant office skills training instead,” he added.
 
The training will be run by YPVWM, an established training provider recognised by the Malaysian Government, as well as other qualified trainers, according to Kamaludin.
 
“We are confident that a programme as complete as this would interest participants in setting up and running their own business,” he said.
 
“In today’s world, entrepreneurs come from various backgrounds, and we hope that we are able to empower those who are underprivileged to become successful,” he added.
 
For more information, contact YVPWM at 603 7954-1244 or myHarapan at 603 7722-1387.
 
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