Malaysia shares aspirations to organise ASEAN Year of Skills 2025

The Ministry of Human Resources said it will be a timely effort given Malaysia’s upcoming role as ASEAN Chair next year, where it will be focusing on enhancing regional integration by fostering seamless trade, deeper economic cooperation, and a more interconnected region.

Malaysia has expressed an aspiration to organise the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, as highlighted by Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim.

This, it was added, will pave the way for the Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia (KESUMA), as well as its departments and agencies, including the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), to spearhead training and skills initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of the ASEAN workforce.

In a press release on 14 June 2024 (Friday), KESUMA said the ASEAN Year of Skills will be a timely effort given Malaysia’s upcoming role as the ASEAN Chair next year, where it will be focusing on enhancing regional integration by fostering seamless trade, deeper economic cooperation, and a more interconnected region. It will also encourage investment into the ASEAN workforce by prioritising capacity building, education, and skills development for a future-ready workforce.

This will be done with a particular focus on emerging fields such as AI and semiconductor technologies.

Speaking at a high-tea session with nine ASEAN leaders in Geneva, Minister Sim said: "As the central authority for human resource development and management in Malaysia, KESUMA is committed to fostering a competent, productive, responsive, and resilient Malaysian workforce that can effectively compete in the global marketplace.

"We are honoured to work with the ILO and all ASEAN leaders in achieving this aspiration for the region through the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025."

He added: "I am confident, through the programmes we have identified, we can facilitate effective knowledge exchange and best practices sharing to enhance our workforce skills and productivity. Beyond that, we can also foster stronger collaboration and partnerships among member countries that can lead to long term actionable strategies in human capital development."

Sharing his views, Srinivas Reddy, Chief of Skills and Employability of the International Labour Organisation, said he believes the initiative will provide a positive impact on the region.

"Malaysia is making excellent progress in its efforts to promote lifelong learning and skills training to its people, under the leadership and vision of its Minister of Human Resources. I am confident that it will succeed in driving the skills development agenda for ASEAN next year, in line with its ASEAN Chairmanship.”

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Photo: Provided by HRD Corp