Johor unveils plans to boost data centre salaries

Johor is serious about developing its workforce, becoming the first state in Malaysia to unveil a higher starting salary for skilled workers.

And yes, it has engaged the help of data centre operators and tech firms in Johor in this endeavour.

Pledged starting salaries

In a glitzy, energy-packed event attended by 1,200 on Sunday, the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) was announced as part of a strategic initiative to develop a skilled workforce.

The JTDC will develop talent and ensure skilled workers receive salaries comparable to those in Singapore, especially in the 10 key sectors of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

One measure is the introduction of premium salary packages for skilled workers trained under the scheme.

• RM4,000 for diploma holders.
• RM5,000 for Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM).

Bringing talents home

As reported on CNA, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi explained the need to provide career opportunities for high-skilled roles.

• Prevent talents from going abroad.
• Enhance local job opportunities.
• Offer competitive wages.

On Friday, I wrote about the pay disparity in data centre roles for professionals working in Singapore and Johor.

Some of you commented that causes are complex:

• Cost of living.
• This also happens elsewhere.
• The pay disparity had always been here.

Read my Friday Unfiltered post here.

Partnering with data centre operators

For now, the JTDC is partnering with a long list of companies across multiple sectors, including data centre operators.

As part of the Johor Digital Talent Partnership, I see partnerships with data centre operators and tech firms such as:

• K2.
• GDS.
• AirTrunk.
• Microsoft.
• TM-Nxera.
• ByteDance.
• Bridge Data Centre.
• Princeton Digital Group.

To be clear, the initiative goes beyond the data centre and tech sectors. However, data centre professionals will be among those who benefit.

Johor is kicking into high gear as it seeks to leverage its data centre growth and the upcoming JS-SEZ to transform into an economic powerhouse.

I suspect the next few years will be very interesting ones over in Johor.

In the meantime, read about Johor's meteoric data centre growth here.

PS: I wasn't invited. The photo and various details are from my source who was there.