Malaysia Boosts Skills Training to Reach High-Income Status

Malaysia is prioritizing human capital development to achieve high-income nation status, with a focus on enhancing skills and training for its citizens. The National Training Week (NTW) 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is a key initiative designed to equip the populace with the necessary skills for higher-paying jobs.

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Skills development is no longer an option, but has become a necessity to ensure the country can produce a competitive workforce domestically and internationally.

Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, highlighted that skills development is no longer optional but a necessity for creating a competitive domestic and international workforce. He stressed that human resources, not natural resources, are the most critical asset for a nation's success. "If Malaysia is to achieve greater success, its people must be continuously given opportunities to improve and learn new skills to remain relevant to current and future economic needs," Ramanan stated.

The NTW 2026, held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Penang, aims to provide a platform for various segments of society, including youth, workers, homemakers, and retirees, to build better futures through upskilling and reskilling. Ramanan emphasized that for Malaysia to continue creating prosperity, the nation must proactively ensure its people have access to skill enhancement opportunities that meet evolving industry demands.

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Indeed, the most important asset for any country is not its natural resources but its human resources. So, if Malaysia is to achieve greater success, its people must be continuously given opportunities to improve and learn new skills to remain relevant to current and future economic needs.

Ramanan also acknowledged the collaborative effort behind NTW's success, involving federal and state governments, employers, industries, training providers, educational institutions, media, and the community. He specifically noted the crucial role of HRD Corp in talent development, ensuring integrity in managing training levy funds for the benefit of the workforce. In Penang alone, over 8,000 employers are registered with HRD Corp, covering 445,792 employees, with significant levy collection and disbursement for skills enhancement programs.

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If Malaysia is to continue creating prosperity for its people, the country must proactively ensure that its people always have opportunities to improve their skills so that they can meet the needs of an increasingly growing industry.