{
  "id": 2484081,
  "title": "Perak youth urged to bridge skills gap as investments surge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/perak-youth-urged-to-bridge-skills-gap-as-investments-surge",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T02:35:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1516414/perak-youth-urged-bridge-skills-gap-investments-surge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perak's youth must develop the necessary skills to seize the numerous job opportunities expected to arise as the state's economy continues to grow, according to Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The state economy expanded by 5.7% to RM91.5 billion last year, while manufacturing grew by 15.2%. Approved investments totaled RM15.76 billion, expected to create 10,704 jobs. Saarani highlighted the need for Perakians, particularly the youth, to be prepared for these opportunities in his speech at the Perak Youth Assembly's fifth session. He emphasized the state's aspiration for Perakians to benefit directly from economic growth, including through employment and business. The five growth nodes in Perak - AHTV, LuMIC, KIGIP, SVTP, and Perak HIP - are not merely development projects but sites where jobs will be created. Saarani stressed that a gap exists if young people are unaware of available jobs or lack the required skills. He called upon the Perak Youth Council to identify these gaps, as its members are in close proximity to students, graduates, and young entrepreneurs. Saarani also announced an increase in the budget for the fifth session of the Perak Youth Assembly, from RM400,000 to RM600,000, to support the council's efforts in addressing these challenges and providing meaningful benefits to Perak's youth.",
  "summary": "IPOH: Perak’s youth must equip themselves with the skills needed to take advantage of thousands of job opportunities expected to be created as the state’s economy continues to expand.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}