National Training Week – a flagship for skills development

IT began with a simple discussion in Penang in 2023, when senior training providers and Human Resources Development Corp (HRD Corp) representatives mooted the idea of offering free learning and training opportunities for all.

That was the year we dared to dream.

The idea of establishing a National Training Week (NTW) – a large-scale, inclusive learning and development initiative – was initially met with scepticism. Some doubted the vision. Others criticised the ambition. Many questioned the feasibility.

But we forged ahead, driven by the belief that this initiative would ultimately benefit the people and the nation. We believe that every Malaysian deserves access to lifelong learning, and that skills development must become a way of life, not a privilege. And in that very first year, we proved that the impossible was indeed possible.

Since then, the NTW has grown from strength to strength, with real, measurable impact with Malaysians from all walks of life increasingly recognising the value of lifelong learning, and employers investing more in upskilling their workforce, while trainers and training providers are rising to the occasion, offering high-impact, industry-relevant training content.

The NTW has become a platform where learning happens organically, anytime, anywhere.

By 2024, we saw support grow, most notably when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched NTW 2024. His continued support reflects the government’s belief in human capital development as the backbone of national progress. On June 14 this year, the Prime Minister once again opened the NTW. His presence is a testament to Malaysia’s leadership in advancing learning and development not just nationally but also across the Asean region.

This aligns with the May 27 announcement by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong extending access to NTW’s portal and its free courses to all Asean member countries. The objective of this is to foster regional collaboration, strengthen workforce capabilities, and promote a shared culture of lifelong learning.

NTW 2025 is one of the flagship platforms under the Asean Year of Skills, aligning with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year.

NTW 2023 recorded 503,572 training hours at an estimated value of RM116mil; NTW 2024 recorded 1,027,911 hours at RM323mil; and NTW 2025: 10,424,808 hours at an RM485 million (as of June 14).

If not for the NTW, these would have been lost learning hours, and training costs would have been significantly higher for the government. The NTW offers a scalable and cost-effective model for nationwide learning. Its all-encompassing approach ensures that no one is left behind, including underprivileged and underserved groups, rural communities, and people with disabilities. 

This inclusive model has received praise from the International Labour Organisation, the Asean Secretariat, and Asean member states, and has been accepted as a best practice in inclusive human capital development.

With NTW 2025 just concluded on June 21, I would like to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come and to express my heartfelt appreciation to all who have contributed to this journey. The milestones we are achieving are built on a foundation of resilience, collaboration, and a shared belief in the power of learning.

Led by the Human Resources Ministry through its agency, HRD Corp, NTW is proud to be a people-first initiative. It is grounded in purpose, powered by collaboration, and driven by results.

As the advisor for the Asean Year of Skills, I am confident that NTW will continue to thrive, becoming not only Malaysia’s pride, but a regional flagship for skills development.

I wholeheartedly thank the Prime Minister for his trust and belief in this journey. And I call for NTW to be officially gazetted as Malaysia’s National Learning and Development Week, to be observed annually during the last week of June as the nation’s most impactful platform for human capital development.

I would also like to thank YB Sim for the encouragement and constant support, even when the road was not easy.

To the partners, trainers, and training providers as well as the Malaysian public, thank you for walking this journey with us. Your involvement is the heartbeat of NTW.

Last but not least, thank you to the winning team of HRD Corp – your dedication and drive continue to set new benchmarks. Keep moving forward with purpose, guided by the unwavering values of HRD Corp.

DATUK SHAHUL HAMEED DAWOOD

Advisor

Asean Year of Skills 2025