HR Ministry ready to upskill and reskill Malaysians

PETALING JAYA: The Manpower Department Training Institutes (ILJTM) is ready to train Malaysians to face future job demands.

The Human Resources Ministry said ILJTMs were ever willing to provide training to help workers upskill, reskill and gain relevant qualifications to help them move up the career ladder or to be reskilled for another job.

“Automation is upon us and there are some traditional jobs that will become redundant and Malaysians will have to cope with ‘new jobs’ that tend to be more technical or Internet-based.

“For example, over the counter employees may be replaced by digital assistants as we have seen in the banking industry and their broadening of the ATM (automated teller machines) and CDM (cash deposit machine) services, ” said the ministry in a response to The Star’s front page yesterday.

It was reported that more than 63% of Malaysians surveyed expect their jobs to be taken over by automation in the next five to 10 years.

However, 87% of the 400 polled feel equipped to deal with the new wave of digitalisation.

The Q2 2019 Randstad Workmonitory study pointed out that 89% said their bosses should invest more in developing their workers’ digital skills as well as help.

The Human Resources Ministry said ILJTM training institutes would create opportunities for workers to be trained and certified with a delivery mode that was flexible to suit the needs of working adults.

“These institutes are looking at the possibility of having more classes after office hours and during weekends to make it easier for workers to attend training.

“The ministry has already issued a directive to all training institutions under the Manpower Department to extend their operating hours up to 11pm to cater for working adults and employees.

“These institutes are also currently looking at Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality as a way to recalibrate its training methods to be current and highly effective, ” said the ministry.

It said the institutes were also initiating collaboration with leading Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions globally such as South Korea, Japan, China, India, Australia and Germany.

The ministry added that it had developed various plans and programmes to ensure Malaysia would be able to provide workers with the right skills to meet the demands of the future of work.

This was reflected in Budget 2019 with various emphasis given to increase employment opportunities and graduates’ employability.

The ministry said it would also conduct studies to identify critical occupations, future and hard-to-fill jobs to enhance the scope of TVET training for the future.

It also said that it was also pivotal for businesses to take an active role in supporting their existing workforce through reskilling and upskilling.

“Businesses should recognise the human capital investment as an asset rather than a liability.

“The ministry is also urging non-governmental organisations and civil society to do what it can to pitch into the growth of TVET learning in this country so that all Malaysians have the chance to be skilled, upskilled or reskilled as well have an equal opportunity at economic advancement, ” it added.