KUALA LUMPUR: Skills training courses offered by the government are now available via a one-stop platform developed by HRD Corp.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said a million people are expected to use the platform next year.
He said about 5,000 courses would be made available through the platform, which is expected to benefit some 220,000 participants.
"The government has decided that all (employment) training programmes would be placed under the Human Resources Ministry, through HRD Corp to avoid overlapping.
"It is hoped that HRD Corp will continue its effort in supporting the country's vision as a high-income nation based on digital economy, through development of the most valuable asset, the Malaysian Family," he said during the launch of the HRD Corp brand and one-stop platform for the National Skills Programme at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
This, he said, was in line the government's aspiration in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) guided by the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
"The two dimensions of 12MP, namely, strengthening the economy and social engineering, call for initiatives to create jobs and skills training for the people," he said.
Ismail Sabri in his speech also announced that HRD Corp will serve as the central agency in human capital development.
Established in 1993, its levy collection for 2021 has exceeded RM673 million to date, and is set to reach RM680 million by end of the year.
Ismail Sabri said the agency has expanded its role to support skills development, employment and income generation among Malaysians in helping them to mitigate the socio-economic impact due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
HRD Corp introduced Penjana HRDF in June last year, which has so far benefitted some 100,000 participants, online learning platform e-LATiH and developed the HRD Corp Placement Centre, which offers close to 40,000 job opportunities with Malaysia's leading employers.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the single window platform offered training and skills development programmes through the ministries and agencies.
"The platform also allows individuals to plan (their career) and record their experiences, qualifications and professional training.
"They can also explore various options for skills training and match the best courses for them," he said.
On the ministry front, he said it has helped some 2.9 million employees and 300,000 companies affected by the pandemic, especially those who have lost their source of income.
"We are bracing for the challenges ahead with the growing ageing population in the country.
"In 10 years, there will be more pensioners than employees in the younger age group. Thus, efforts are needed to ensure they will be ready when the time comes."
Earlier, Saravanan said HRD Corp was responsible for offering programmes aimed at creating job opportunities and income generation for Malaysians.
From collecting levies for registered employers and disbursing training grants, he said HRD Corp, formerly known as the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) now plays a more vital role in the nation's human capital development.
He said HRD Corp now has 430 staff nationwide, handling over 65,400 registered employers in Malaysia.
Among the initiatives introduced in supporting the economic recovery were online shopping platform Jana'Preneur and training and placement programmes for ex-convicts Second Chances and Opportunities for People to Excel.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim and HRD Corp chairman Datuk Jamil Salleh.
