KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry is committed to promoting English proficiency in the local workforce without compromising the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Human Resources Minister outlined several strategic measures, such as the integration of English elements into the development of the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS), specifically for globally-oriented industries such as advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), automotive, aerospace and professional services.
"Emphasis is placed on the use of technical terms, understanding work documentation and workplace communication," he said during Question Time in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 22).
Ramanan said that to date, 90% of NOSS has been developed in English by industry panels and the relevant Industry Lead Body, with the exception of Islamic-related fields such as tahfiz education.
At the same time, Ramanan said the Skills Development Department is also enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculums by encouraging the use of bilingual reference materials and workplace-based learning modules.
Ramanan said presentations and assessments at these institutions are also being conducted in English.
He added that the Labour Department is supporting the initiative by making general English modules mandatory for full-time students throughout their studies at all its Advanced Technology Training Centres nationwide.
Meanwhile, Ramanan said the e-Latih online training platform by HRD Corp can be accessed by Malaysians to improve their English in the workplace.
"The platform offers over 2,000 free courses, including those related to English, professional communication and workplace skills.
"Through e-Latih, Malaysians in both urban and rural areas, including in Sabah and Sarawak, have the opportunity to flexibly improve their English proficiency to boost their employability," he added.
Ramanan said English proficiency is an important skill, especially for the new workforce facing a globalised, high-tech work environment driven by automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
"While Bahasa Malaysia acts as a medium of unity and national identity, English serves as an international lingua franca that opens doors to knowledge, technology, trade and international relations.
"Mastering English increases employability and provides an advantage in careers requiring international interaction or the use of modern technology," he added.
Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Ind-Kuala Kangsar) had asked for the ministry's views on the importance of English mastery in the local workforce.
