PETALING JAYA: The oil and gas industry in Malaysia is set to have another 500 engineers in their workforce within a year under a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU).
This deal was established between the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd.
It will provide specialised training programmes to upskill and reskill Malaysian engineers and those in the industry so that Malaysia can become a regional hub for technical expertise and energy innovation.
The MOU ceremony was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last week and signed by HRD Corp’s chief executive Dr Syed Alwi Mohamed Sultan and Director of SPE Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd Michelle Tan.
It was witnessed by Terry Palisch, 2024 SPE president; Hazli Sham Kassim, SPE Asia Pacific regional director; Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof Human Resources Ministry secretary-general and Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid HRD Corp board of directors chairman.
Syed Alwi said the MOU aligns directly with their mission to upskill and reskill Malaysians to ensure the workforce remains competitive, agile and ready for the future.
“HRD Corp registered employees will be able to channel their levy payment towards internationally recognised technical training and programmes, thus expanding opportunities for Malaysian professionals to learn, grow and lead,” he added.
Palisch said the partnership was about empowering people.
“By working together, HRD Corp and SPE are unlocking new pathways for Malaysian professionals to engage with global expertise, accelerate their growth and contribute meaningfully to the future of energy,” said Palisch.
In a press release, HRD Corp said this collaboration enables HRD Corp-registered companies to use the levy contributions to fund employees participating in SPE Asia Pacific’s international workshops and conferences.
Malaysian professionals in the sector also have the opportunity to boost international competitiveness with innovative technologies and participate in high-level industry dialogues.
This initiative, which aligns with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, ensures that local talent will be well-prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The goal is to make a real difference in Malaysia’s energy sector by helping local workers gain the knowledge, skills and exposure they need to stay competitive in the industry.
“This will be done by not merely exposing them to training but enabling them to achieve global networks, cutting-edge knowledge and career-defining opportunities that will empower Malaysian professionals to thrive in the energy transition,” said HRD Corp.
Ravi, D. T. (2025, September 3). Oil and gas sector to gain 500 engineers. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/09/03/oil-and-gas-sector-to-gain-500-engineers
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