KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of an Asean Green and Digital Skills Taskforce can unite the region and keep it future-ready, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council chairman, said the proposed regional movement would allow for concrete action and measurable targets.
“Perhaps from this very gathering, we can establish a new regional movement that unites us while cultivating the talent our region needs,” he said when launching the Asean TVET Conference at the World Trade Centre here yesterday.
He said the success of any one nation (in Asean) in TVET is no longer enough.
“Our workforce is increasingly regional and our challenges are shared,” he said of Malaysia’s proposal to establish an Asean TVET Certification and Excellence Hub, which aims to function as a central body that will set benchmarks, ensure mutual recognition and promote mobility for skilled workers across borders.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, stressed the need to pioneer cross-border apprenticeship programmes.
“This way, a student from the Philippines can train in Malaysia, an Indonesian in Vietnam and a Thai graduate in Singapore – turning Asean integration into a living reality through the movement of skills and knowledge,” he said, emphasising that Malaysia’s TVET journey does not stop at its borders.
According to him, Malaysia has forged impactful pathways, including 5,125 industrial placements in China, collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, and skills exchanges with Japan, Germany and Australia.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that 53.56% of Malaysia’s secondary school leavers chose TVET as their first choice in 2024.
Graduate employability, he said, currently stands at 95.1%, reflecting how skills training is matching job opportunities.
“Applications to national TVET institutions have since surged past 200,000. We have also introduced new certification levels which are equivalent to higher education qualifications.
“This gives our advanced technical graduates the credibility to compete on the global stage,” he said, adding that the minimum wage coverage has also been expanded to include semi-skilled and TVET graduates.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, who was also present at the event, said Asean should be a platform for experience-sharing in skills training.
“The different stages of our industrialisation and the different sectors, where each has our respective own competitive advantages, will enable us to complement each other,” he said in his remarks at the launch.
Citing Malaysia’s extensive experience in the high-tech manufacturing sector, specifically semiconductors, he said the country also aspires to be a world-class skills training centre.
“Our unique national experience will surely be useful to fellow member states who are perhaps exploring similar paths. Malaysia too, can benefit from learning from our neighbours,” said Sim.
The Asean TVET Conference is jointly organised by the Human Resource Development Corporation and the Skills Development Fund Corporation Malaysia.
It is the fourth flagship platform under the Asean Year of Skills 2025.
Themed “Advancing Digital and Green Transformations through an Inclusive and Future-Ready TVET System”, the two-day conference explores how the region can enhance the quality, relevance and accessibility of TVET to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
Gimino, G., & Fairus, S. (2025, August 14). Towards a skilled Asean workforce. The Star (Nation). Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/14/towards-a-skilled-asean-workforce
- Towards a skilled Asean workforceKUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of an Asean Green and Digital Skills Taskforce can unite the region and keep it future-ready, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council chairman, said the proposed regional movement would allow for concrete […]
- Flex marks the spot?
“DO I have to die in the office to go to heaven?” Hafiz, 27, who declines to give his full name, instantly sneers when asked about the new push to return fully to the office that his company is implementing. Hafiz works in digital marketing, first entering the job market amid the shift towards remote […] - Transformative HR – the way forward for businesses
PETALING JAYA: The role of human resources (HR) leaders and professionals has evolved significantly and now plays a critical role in helping businesses deliver desired outcomes to shareholders. FGV Holdings Bhd group chief human capital officer and Malaysia Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM) deputy president Razman Radzi said the role of HR professionals in the […] - HR MINISTRY TO EMPOWER REGION’S WORKFORCE
KUALA LUMPUR: In line with Malaysia’s role as the Asean chair for 2025, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) and its agencies are spearheading a series of high-impact programmes. These initiatives are designed to empower human capital, promote the rights and welfare of workers, and develop a sustainable and inclusive employment ecosystem across the Asean region. […] - After more than 20 years, Sarawak labour law finally updated, aligning rights with peninsular Malaysia
KUCHING, May 2 — Employees in Sarawak finally have access to the benefits their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia are enjoying as the amended Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO) came into effect yesterday. Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak Division chairman Zaidi Nasar said Sarawakian workers had waited for such labour reforms for over 20 years. Among […] - From 30 days to three: AI to revolutionise industrial court records, says HR minister
GEORGE TOWN, March 14 — The Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma), through the Malaysian Industrial Court, will upgrade its digital recording system using artificial intelligence. Its minister, Steven Sim said the system could generate immediate transcripts during case proceedings to boost efficiency, reduce cost and coordinate understanding of communications of all stakeholders involved. “It aims to […] - STRENGTHENING WORKERS’ RIGHTS, ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is firmly on track to building a more progressive and equitable labour market. 2025 marks the implementation of two key initiatives – the new Minimum Wage Order (MWO) and the Progressive Wage Policy (PWP) – aimed at strengthening workers’ rights, boosting labour productivity and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable national economy. […] - Malaysia factory slump eases as July PMI hits five-month high
KUALA LUMPUR: The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Malaysia manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 49.7 in July, up from 49.3 in June. The latest reading indicates the slowest decline in manufacturing sector health in five months. “Malaysian manufacturers saw pressure on operating conditions soften at the start of the second half of 2025, as […] - Sim: Comply with ruling
Goodwill: Sim (left) and Fahmi believe the additional holiday reflects the spirit of Malaysia Day. Procedures must be followed as Sept 15 is declared public holiday PETALING JAYA: Employers must comply with the public holiday declared for Sept 15 by either giving employees the day off with regular pay or pay public holiday rates if […] - Employers must observe extra Malaysia Day holiday, says HR ministerPUTRAJAYA, July 23 — Employers must comply with the declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year’s Malaysia Day celebration, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and […]