Latest news with #NOSS
The Star
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Concrete measures in place to address skills mismatch, Deputy HR Minister tells Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has adopted a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to address labour market imbalances, particularly skills mismatches which currently account for 35.7% of the national unemployment rate, says Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad. The Deputy Human Resources Minister said the rate of skills-related underemployment had dropped from 37.3% in 2022 to 35.7% in the first quarter of 2025, a reduction he attributed to coordinated efforts by various ministries and agencies under the ministry. 'Among the key agencies involved are TalentCorp, the Manpower Department (JTM), the Department of Skills Development (JPK), the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and HRD Corp. 'These bodies play critical roles in developing a high-skilled workforce aligned with industry needs,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Aug 6). He was responding to a question from Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar), who had asked about short- and long-term strategies to resolve the skills mismatch issue in the labour market. To identify industry-critical skills, Abdul Rahman said TalentCorp has published the Malaysia Critical Occupations List (MyCOL) since 2015. Starting in 2023, he said the initiative was extended to schools to expose students early to future job trends and required skills. He added that TalentCorp also conducted impact studies on artificial intelligence, the digital economy and green technology to assess their effects on Malaysia's workforce. Based on these findings, he said the digital portal and MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Council (FSTC) were introduced. The FSTC, led by industry players, is responsible for determining training priorities and selecting suitable training centres, he added. 'As of June 2025, 66 training programmes involving 2,336 participants are underway under the FSTC initiative,' he said. Abdul Rahman also highlighted ongoing reforms to Malaysia's national occupational skills standards (NOSS), with 2,012 active standards currently available and supported by 1,619 accredited training centres nationwide. To support displaced workers, he said JTM has provided reskilling and upskilling courses, with 84,231 individuals trained in 2024 and another 48,833 participants as of June 30 this year. Meanwhile, he said PERKESO has expanded initiatives such as the MYFutureJobs job portal, Career Bridge Tool, Career Launchpad programme and Satellite Centres to improve employment services and training access. Abdul Rahman said strategic partnerships with companies and training institutes also help boost jobseekers' competencies. Additionally, he said HRD Corp's National Training Week (NTW) 2025 attracted approximately 3.5 million participants from Malaysia and Asean. 'Over 72,000 free training sessions were offered, covering artificial intelligence, coding, cybersecurity, data analytics and more, through physical, online and hybrid formats.'
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt taking holistic approach to prepare workforce for AI disruptions, HR Minister tells Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is adopting a holistic approach to prepare Malaysia's workforce for the challenges posed by automation and artificial intelligence (AI), including the risk of job displacement, says Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He said the ministry is currently undertaking a comprehensive review through the National Labour and Human Resources Policy Study, which includes aspects of reskilling and upskilling. The study is expected to be completed in 2026. 'To minimise the negative impact and maximise the positive potential of technological advancement, we are implementing several major initiatives focusing on human capital development through reskilling and upskilling, strategic industry-academia partnerships, and strengthened social protection programmes,' Sim said in a parliamentary written reply on Monday (July 28). He was responding to a question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang), who had asked whether the government intends to introduce a large-scale policy for reskilling and upskilling workers at risk of losing their jobs due to advancements in AI, along with the implementation and funding details of such efforts. Sim said that as a first step, TalentCorp has conducted a study on the impact of AI, digitalisation, and the green economy on Malaysia's workforce. Based on the findings, he said the ministry has developed the digital portal as a one-stop reference centre for future job roles, required skills and training programmes aligned with current labour market needs. To ensure skills development meets industry demands, he said the MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Council (FSTC) has also been established, led by key industry players. 'This council is responsible for identifying training requirements and selecting suitable training centres,' he said. Sim added that the Department of Skills Development (JPK) has taken proactive steps to address the challenges of automation by developing new National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) geared towards future job demands. 'So far, more than 120 NOSS related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) have been introduced. 'These standards cover fields such as industrial automation, robotics, AI, cyber-physical systems and data analytics, and are implemented in over 3,600 accredited centres using modular approaches to accelerate workforce reskilling and upskilling,' he said. According to him, government is also expanding the Industry-Based Academy (ADI) programme, which allows existing employees to undergo training at their workplace without having to leave their jobs. He said this approach is supported by flexible certification pathways, such as Recognition of Prior Achievement (PPT) and micro-credentials, as well as strategic industry collaboration to involve employers directly. 'These efforts aim to produce a resilient workforce capable of transitioning from high-risk jobs to emerging growth sectors like smart logistics, renewable energy, agricultural automation and cybersecurity.' At the same time, he said the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) continues to provide upskilling and reskilling programmes through levy contributions from eligible employers. 'As of June 2025, 101,506 employers and 4.84 million workers have registered with HRD Corp, with 24.75 million training placements approved in the same period.' Meanwhile, he said the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) has also been actively offering reskilling and upskilling initiatives to insured individuals who have lost their jobs and require new skills to remain employable. 'Between Jan 1 and July 4, 2025, a total of 5,403 individuals participated in these programmes.' To support access to training, Sim said the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) has allocated RM100 million in training grants under the 2025 High-Impact Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Financing Scheme. 'This funding will benefit 4,167 trainees across seven key high-growth, high-value sectors, including artificial intelligence,' he said.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
514 MAF personnel, veterans awarded diplomas under R-PEL this year
SUNGAI BULOH: A total of 514 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel and veterans have been awarded the Malaysian Skills Diploma this year through the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (R-PEL) programme. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the R-PEL initiative was introduced by the Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) in 2017, allowing MAF personnel and veterans to obtain a diploma upon completing their service. According to him, R-PEL is a certification programme in collaboration with the Skills Development Department that recognises the experience, skills, and achievements of MAF veterans during their service, based on the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS). He said that MAF veterans can continue to contribute to the nation through various other means. 'The development of human capital and the socio-economic wellbeing of MAF veterans must be treated as a strategic priority that deserves serious attention,' he said when officiating the Malaysian Skills Diploma Award Ceremony under the R-PEL programme and the PERHEBAT Certificate presentation at Sungai Buloh Camp here today. Mohamed Khaled stated that PERHEBAT will continue to provide training, exposure, and skill development as part of its efforts to assist soon-to-retire MAF personnel, adding that this year alone, 3,473 MAF personnel nationwide completed transition training. He also urged PERHEBAT to ensure MAF veterans can live independently, securely and productively by providing robust and effective transition training. 'PERHEBAT must also enhance its engagement with the industry and job market and transform itself into a more agile, transparent and performance-driven institution,' he added. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry, in a statement, said that Mohamed Khaled is expected to witness the signing of eight memoranda and notes of understanding between PERHEBAT and industry partners today in areas such as job placement, entrepreneurship opportunities, and training programmes. 'These MoUs and NoUs involve Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol), the Johor Royal Military Force, Maxis Broadband, TAB Security, Kamatech Automotive & Engineering, Hexide Engineering, AMS Caddy Academy, and Nur Lembah Pangsun Eco Resort,' read the statement.
