PETALING JAYA: The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has rolled out Vetri Madani, a targeted skills development initiative aimed at expanding access to structured training and employment opportunities for the Malaysian Indian community.
The programme, which received RM10mil in government funds through HRD Corp, is expected to benefit the current 2,000 participants nationwide. As of now, its focus is trained on two segments of the community - jobseekers and those looking into equipping themselves with new skills.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, who was present at the programme's launch in Brickfields in conjunction with the Vetri Madani Carnival there, said it centred on skills enhancement, career mobility and workforce readiness.
"For the existing workforce or those with jobs, the programme provides the opportunity to upskill yourselves. For example, a person with a full time job as an e-hailing driver can join this programme to learn new skills.
"For those looking for jobs, the programme will help equip them with the skills needed by industries, giving them the competitive edge in the job market. For instance, those aged 16 to 50 years old will have the opportunity to undergo reskilling and upskilling."
Ramanan said the initiative reflects the government’s continued focus on ensuring that skills development translates into real opportunities for the people
He said Vetri Madani represented the next phase in strengthening inclusive, community-focused human capital development, in line with national priorities outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan.
"This is not just about numbers; this is about creating real opportunities to transform lives. Vetri Madani is designed to ensure that more Malaysians, particularly from the Indian community, have access to skills that can improve their employability and future prospects."
He also said the programme prioritised high-demand and future-oriented sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data and cloud technologies, automation, robotics and advanced engineering.
"Training will be delivered through HRD Corp’s network of registered training providers, in collaboration with industry partners and state-level skills development centres. A flexible delivery model, combining physical and hybrid learning approaches, will be adopted to improve accessibility and participation," he said.
Meanwhile, HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shamir Aziz said the focus was on ensuring that training leads to measurable outcomes.
"Building on the progress achieved through the Malaysian Indian Skills Initiative (MISI), with 8,719 Malaysian Indians trained from 2024 to 2025. Vetri Madani represents the next phase in strengthening our support for the Malaysian Indian community through skills development.
"At HRD Corp, our focus is on ensuring these efforts translate into real outcomes, where individuals gain the right skills, access better job opportunities and improve their livelihoods."
Earlier, the ministry said the Vetri Madani Carnival also served as a community engagement platform, drawing approximately 1,000 participants and featuring activities aimed at raising awareness on skills development, career opportunities and lifelong learning.
