KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank” or the “Bank”), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad Group (“BPMB Group”), has rolled out Zero to Hero 3.0 in collaboration with GIATMARA Sdn. Bhd. (“GIATMARA”) and Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Berhad (“Zurich General Takaful).

Recognised by Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”) under iTEKAD Employment, an initiative introduced in 2026 to strengthen the employability and financial resilience of vulnerable communities, Zero to Hero 3.0 will equip 100 individuals from B40 households with industry-recognised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (“TVET”) skills in welding and metal fabrication. Participants will also receive financial education, industry exposure and employment support.

Expanding Opportunities Through Skills and Employment
Samad Majid Zain, Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, said, “Zero to Hero 3.0 reflects our continued focus on creating opportunities for underserved communities through industry-relevant TVET programmes. By equipping participants with in-demand technical skills and connecting them with employers, the programme provides a practical pathway towards meaningful and sustainable employment.
 
“The first cohort supported 30 participants in 2022, followed by 60 participants in 2024. All 90 participants secured employment, achieving a 100% employment rate. Zero to Hero 3.0 will support a further 100 participants, with expected monthly salaries ranging from RM1,800 to RM6,000. The programme also advances the National TVET Policy 2030 and Financial Sector Blueprint 2027–2030, while reinforcing SME Bank’s focus on measurable developmental outcomes in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s Performance Measurement Framework,” Samad Majid Zain elaborated.   
      
Turning Training into Sustainable Careers
As the implementation partner, GIATMARA will lead participant selection, deliver competency-based TVET training, facilitate industry certification and coordinate job placements. It will also monitor participants’ progress throughout the programme.
 
Datuk Ts. Ahmad Hamdi bin Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of GIATMARA, said, “Zero to Hero 3.0 reflects GIATMARA’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce with competencies that meet industry requirements. Through recognised certification, hands-on industry exposure and direct access to employment opportunities, participants will be better positioned to build sustainable careers and contribute to Malaysia’s growing industrial talent pipeline.”
 
Zurich General Takaful Malaysia will provide programme funding, one year of takaful protection and practical financial education to help participants manage their finances and enter the workforce with greater confidence.
 
Shamsul Azman, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich General Takaful Malaysia, said, “Creating lasting financial resilience requires more than technical skills, it demands strong partnerships and a shared commitment to empowering individuals for a more secure and brighter future. Guided by our brand promise to Care for What Matters, we are proud, through our ongoing collaboration with SME Bank and GIATMARA in Zero to Hero 3.0, to complement industry-recognised TVET training with takaful protection and practical financial education. This combination helps participants step into their workforce with greater confidence while laying a solid foundation for long-term financial wellbeing.”
 
Building on iTEKAD’s National Impact
The wider iTEKAD initiative was introduced by BNM in 2020 and has since benefited more than 14,000 low-income microentrepreneurs nationwide. More than RM94 million in social finance funds and around RM77 million in financing and investments have been channelled through the initiative. Programme graduates have also contributed to the creation of more than 2,400 employment opportunities.
 
SME Bank has contributed to these outcomes through SME Bank iTEKAD ISHRAF, which has supported nearly 1,000 asnaf entrepreneurs since 2020. Collectively, participants have generated approximately RM40 million in income and created more than 400 employment opportunities.
 
Building on this foundation, the Zero to Hero 3.0 programme will be carried out under the iTEKAD Employment initiative between 2026 and 2027.
 
As a Development Financial Institution (“DFI”), SME Bank continues to advance inclusive economic growth by connecting underserved communities with skills, employment and opportunities for upward socioeconomic mobility. Through Zero to Hero 3.0, the Bank and its partners aim to develop industry-ready talent, strengthen household resilience and contribute to Malaysia’s long-term development.

For contact details, please use the below: https://bit.ly/4iDlJv6

Issued by:
BPMB Group
Level 30, Menara Bank Pembangunan,
Plaza Conlay, Jalan Conlay,
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

SOURCE: BPMB Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mohd Nasrulhanis Ruslan
Acting Head, Strategic Communication
BPMB Group
Email: communications@bpmb.com.my 

--BERNAMA