Human Resources Minister tables amendments to enhance skills training, expand funding and improve governance for workforce development.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 were tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong presented both bills to parliament.
The Human Resources Ministry stated that amendments to both laws are crucial to strengthen the country’s skills development system.
The changes will ensure Malaysia’s workforce is prepared to face future economic challenges based on skills and technology.
The National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to amend the National Skills Development Act 2006.
It seeks to streamline skills certification in Malaysia to develop the country’s skilled workforce.
Key amendments include expanding the National Skills Development Council membership by involving strategic ministries and professional bodies.
This will make Technical and Vocational Education and Training policy more inclusive.
The bill also recognises skills training programmes outside the National Occupational Skills Standard for funding purposes.
It improves the accreditation period for skills training providers from three to six years.
The amendments introduce clearer suspension and cancellation procedures for training providers.
They establish the Malaysian Modular Skills Certificate as a flexible learning path supporting lifelong learning.
New expert categories will be created: skills experts, senior skills experts and skills consultants.
The Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 amends the Skills Development Fund Act 2004.
It expands the scope of Skills Development Fund Corporation financing.
Training loans and financial assistance will extend to other programmes recognised by the Skills Development Department.
Governance will be strengthened through more transparent approval and management processes.
Enforcement powers will be enhanced with a 12-year legal action limit and travel restrictions on defaulters.
“Through amendments to these two acts, KESUMA is confident that the country’s skills development system will be more inclusive, flexible and high-impact,” the ministry stated.
The changes align with the MADANI Malaysia agenda emphasising skills, welfare and people’s outcomes. – Bernama
