SELANGOR aims to develop a standardised training and certification framework for caregivers within a year, to improve the quality and consistency of care services.
The proposed training module will be developed by The Asia Foundation before undergoing pilot testing.
It would subsequently be offered as a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) course, said Selangor women development, social welfare and care economy committee chairman Anfaal Saari.
Anfaal said Malaysia currently lacked a consolidated certification system from a single authorised body for caregivers.
She said existing courses varied considerably, with some lasting two days and others taking several months.
“We have more work to do to ensure caregivers register and undergo training through one authorised body,” she said.
Anfaal said a common system would help families identify properly trained caregivers and reduce the risk of unqualified individuals offering care services.
She said the state was mapping existing training modules with The Asia Foundation to identify skill gaps in the sector.
“Once the module is fully developed, we have to conduct pilot testing.
“Universiti Selangor (Unisel) will then adopt the module and offer it as a TVET course for caregivers,” she said after launching Selangor International Business Summit 2026 in Petaling Jaya.
The Asia Foundation is an international non-profit organisation working to solve social and economic challenges through the development of a highly skilled workforce.
Anfaal said the state government targeted completion of the framework within a year.
She said that while the state had worked with Selangor’s 12 local councils to standardise approval and licensing procedures for care centres and childcare facilities, any new requirement should balance service standards without placing excessive burdens on operators.
“We do not want the requirements to be so stringent that operators find governance matters restrictive, but we have to continue improving the system,” she said.
The state’s care economy plans will be featured at Selangor International Care Expo (SICE), scheduled for Oct 15 to 17 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Anfaal said the event had been expanded into an expo to place greater emphasis on investment, commercial opportunities and practical demonstrations of care services.
The expo will cover pregnancy and postpartum care, childcare, disability care, active and healthy ageing as well as palliative and long-term care.
Anfaal said the event would allow visitors to experience and understand care needs at different stages of life while exploring available services and technology.
“Almost everyone will go through these stages, so caregiving is very important.
“We also want to tap into the economic potential of the sector by improving the service quality in Selangor,” she added.
Last year’s expo generated RM2.25mil in potential investment, Anfaal said, with organisers hoping to double the figure to about RM4.5mil this year.
SICE 2026 is targeting 5,000 visitors, 10 anchor brands, 30 smaller brands and 160 business-matching sessions over the three days.
