HRD Corp to train 60,000 in Sabah as govt ramps up upskilling for state, says Steven
KOTA KINABALU: The government is ramping up upskilling Sabahans this year, says Steven Sim, starting with HRD Corp's aims to train 60,000 people this year.
The Human Resources Minister said this would be a fourfold increase from 15,000 participants in 2024.
Speaking at a ministry event with HRD Corp in Pulau Gaya near here, Sim stressed that upskilling Malaysians, especially those in remote areas, is vital for individual empowerment and national development.
'We want every citizen to be equipped with skills that can help them earn a better income. When our people are skilled, the nation progresses too,' he said during the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 event on Sunday (June 1).
'Next week, HRD Corp will launch National Training Week 2025, and we will return to Pulau Gaya to train at least 5,000 residents,' he said.
Over 450 residents from Kampung Gaya, Kampung Lok Urai, Kampung Torong Logong, and Kampung Kesuapan participated in the event, attending skills workshops focused on floral entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and dropshipping, alongside motivational talks for students.
Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who also attended, said expanding access to training was key to unlocking employment opportunities and attracting major investments.
'Training like this does not just raise incomes, but also helps transform Sabah's economy and uplift communities,' he said.
In line with long-term workforce development, HRD Corp also announced a strategic partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to establish Sabah Human Capital Initiatives and Nurturing Excellence (SHINE), Malaysia's first lifelong learning hub dedicated to research, training, and talent development tailored for Sabah.
Deputy HRD Corp chairman Ahsim Jamat expressed hope that the SHINE model will set the standard for human capital development nationwide.
The programme also saw the launch of the Industrial and Community Training Collaboration Centre, which included a RM36,000 boost in training equipment support under HRD Corp's Training Equipment and Facility Enhancement Scheme (ALAT) for local tourism industry players.
Sim also presented several corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions, including 700 life jackets for daily boat passengers, food baskets for 300 families, and a RM20,000 donation to the parent-teacher associations of SMK and SK Pulau Gaya.
Also present were Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, UMS registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar, and Jesselton University College president Professor Dr Chin Yuk Fong.
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