Kesuma and HRD Corp training programmes break numerous records
Kesuma has introduced the strategic 3K mission, which aims to enhance the skills and outcomes of workers while also taking care of their welfare.
DATUK DR MOHAMED ANWAR OMAR DIN
The Madani Economy: Empowering the People is a platform introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to restore the dignity and stature of the nation by restructuring the economy towards making Malaysia a leading economy in Southeast Asia and improving the living standards of the people through meaningful and high-income employment.
One of the key agencies ensuring the goals of the Madani Economy are met is the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) under the leadership of Steven Sim.
It is Kesuma's responsibility to develop a skilled and intelligent workforce that meets the demands of companies and industries, making Malaysia a preferred destination for foreign investors and boosting domestic direct investment to a higher level.
To achieve this, Kesuma has introduced the strategic 3K mission, which aims to enhance the skills and outcomes of workers while also taking care of their welfare.
This mission has been realised by Kesuma's departments and agencies, particularly HRD Corp, which is tasked with offering upskilling and reskilling programmes to workers and national talents through the employer levy scheme and other strategic initiatives.
One of the most important strategic initiatives introduced by HRD Corp under the leadership of Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood is the National Training Week (NTW), held across all 13 states in Malaysia from May 22 to 29, 2023.
This initiative aims to mobilise all sectors, including private enterprises, academia, non-profit organisations, industry associations, and more, to collaborate in offering free training and learning activities.
More importantly, NTW also aims to foster a spirit of learning and instill a culture of lifelong learning among Malaysians.
The training programmes offered will equip them with the necessary skills for the digital and technological economy era.
With the skills acquired through NTW, they will become more competitive and capable of earning better incomes, thereby improving their standard of living.
Initially, NTW 2023 involved only 129,321 participants, 21,473 free courses, and 503,572 learning hours.
However, its success prompted Kesuma and HRD Corp to set new targets for NTW 2024, held from June 24 to 30, aiming for 200,000 participants, 25,000 free courses, 700,000 learning hours, 500 learning and development (L&D) activities nationwide, and RM200 million worth of training.
Ultimately, NTW 2024 not only met all expectations but exceeded them, setting numerous new records.
It recorded 375,817 participants compared to the target of 200,000, 65,115 free courses compared to the target of 25,000 (more than double the target), 1.03 million learning hours compared to the target of 700,000, 736 L&D activities nationwide compared to the target of 500 and over RM323 million worth of training compared to the target of RM200 million.
Moreover, NTW 2024 received recognition for the Largest Participation in Lifelong Learning Programmes by the Malaysia Book of Records.
The same recognition was also awarded to two satellite events of NTW 2024: the Longest Non-Stop Human Resource Training Webinar by HR Leaders Circle and HRD Corp and the Longest Non-Stop Virtual Training Workshop by Toastmasters.
Celebrating this achievement, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, announced that starting next year, NTW will become an annual event organised by Kesuma and HRD Corp every June.
He emphasised that all those involved in NTW are Malaysia's Skill Warriors because they enable us to receive high-quality skill training without having to travel abroad.
Truly, NTW has transformed Malaysia into an open university.
The climax of NTW 2024 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on June 29 and 30 concluded spectacularly with a closing ceremony officiated by the Prime Minister.
The NTW 2024 finale featured 64 physical training classes with over 2,500 participants.
This included Data-Centric Agriculture by UPM Education, Digital Free Program Awareness Sessions by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Halal Awareness Programs by the Halal Development Corporation, STEM: Next Generation AI Recognition by the Ministry of Health and TVET: Marketing Processes by the Education Ministry.
In addition to the NTW Learning Carnivals and training programmes, HRD Corp led several high-impact activities in Klang Valley in conjunction with NTW 2024, such as the Neurodiversity Inclusion Impact program, officiated by Princess of Johor, Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim.
This programme attracted representatives from various industries, neurodiversity practitioners, academia, NGOs, neurodivergent individuals, and their parents.
Another high-impact programme was the Ministers Pioneering Excellence, where four cabinet ministers shared the stage to discuss their respective ministries' policies in shaping future talents that will drive Malaysia's economic development.
Additionally significant is the agreement between Microsoft and HRD Corp to each invest RM10 million to establish the National FutureSkills and A.I Centre (a virtual centre).
This centre is the first of its kind in the region, and this collaborative effort aims to produce 200,000 local talents with technical skills and digital literacy to take on AI-based roles in the industry over the next three years.
This is to ensure that Malaysia develops a deep local talent pool to meet modern and future industrial standards.
In conclusion, NTW 2024 indeed brought numerous innovations, especially by presenting many high-impact activities that have provided a new momentum in Kesuma and HRD Corp's efforts to help citizens enhance their skills.
Datuk Dr Mohamed Anwar Omar Din is an Adjunct Professor at Asian e University (AeU), Subang Jaya.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
