Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan has called for wider access to reskilling and upskilling as Malaysia prepares its workforce for rapid changes in technology and the economy.
He said the country’s most important asset was its people, stressing that workers must be continuously exposed to new skills to remain relevant in current and future industries.
“Malaysia needs to be proactive in ensuring its people have opportunities to improve their skills and acquire new capabilities,” Ramanan said at the NTW 2026 Grand Finale in Permatang Pauh on July 25.
The event was officiated by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow and Ramanan, underscoring the government’s collective commitment to cultivating a culture of lifelong learning and strengthening the nation’s talent ecosystem.
As of July 24, the minister shared that NTW 2026 had recorded 674,818 participations across 8,682 courses offered by 1,619 training providers nationwide.
HRD Corp Chief Executive Datuk Shamir Aziz, meanwhile, said the figures reflected strong demand for accessible training and a growing awareness of lifelong learning among Malaysians.
He said HRD Corp would continue working with the government, industry and training providers to widen access to skills development beyond the annual programme.
On that note, Ramanan said institutions responsible for talent development must be credible, capable and accountable, with HRD Corp playing a central role in ensuring training programmes meet the country’s workforce needs.
He added that the Human Resources Ministry would continue expanding access to skills programmes, particularly for young people, workers and communities seeking to improve their employment prospects.
The two-day grand finale in Penang offered a range of free courses and activities, featuring technology demonstrations, interactive exhibitions, skills workshops, and a Learn-A-Thon run, which drew around 3,500 participants on the second day of the event.
