Latest news with #SriAbdulRahmanMohamad
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia urges stronger Asean training ties to future-proof regional workforce
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on Asean nations to intensify collaboration in skills development to ensure the region's workforce remains competitive, adaptable and inclusive. This was the central message delivered at the Asean Training Market Conference (ATMC) 2025 in Berjaya Times Square Hotel today, where more than 600 delegates, including training providers, employers, policymakers and experts from across the region gathered to strengthen the region's training supply ecosystem. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who officiated the event, said that Asean's economic future hinges on its ability to train and retrain workers in response to disruption from automation, artificial intelligence, the digital economy and the green transition. "To transform our economies, we must first change how we train our people. We can no longer afford to teach yesterday's skills for tomorrow's jobs," he said. The ATMC, one of seven flagship events under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship and the Asean Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, is positioned as a key platform for aligning regional training efforts with emerging labour market needs. "We need training ecosystems that are digitally enabled, industry-led and forward-looking not just in one country, but across the region," said Rahman. HRD Corp chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid said there was a need to reform training systems and ensure access across all sectors, especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities and informal workers. "This is not just another conference. It is a deliberate step towards reforming how training is designed, delivered and scaled in Asean," he said. Abu Huraira added that HRD Corp, which oversaw over 50,000 trainers and a wide range of certified programmes in Malaysia, was committed to sharing its experiences while learning from counterparts in the region. "Let this be the start of concrete actions that translate into new frameworks, cross-border cooperation and a more unified Aseantraining ecosystem," he added. Themed "Empowering Asean's Training Supply: Bridging Skills Gap, Innovation and Collaboration for a Future-Ready Economy", the conference tackled issues including credential recognition, modular training design, public-private partnerships and industry co-creation. Regional experts also lent their perspectives, including Dr Markus Bernhardt, Learning and Development Strategist for the AI-Powered Workforce; Yue Yean Feng from IBM Asia-Pacific; and Mary Kent from the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscoring the need for inclusive, responsive and collaborative human capital strategies. Secretary-General of the Human Resources Ministry Datuk Azman Yusoff and HRD Corp chief strategy officer Dr Rony Ambrose Gobilee were also present. Earlier this year, the National Training Week recorded 3.7 million participants and offered over 73,000 free courses, with participation opened to Asean countries for the first time. Upcoming regional efforts under AYOS 2025 include the Asean TVET Conference, the Global Skills Forum and the Asean Forum of Manpower Ministers.
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asework15Malaysia urges stronger Asean training ties to future-proof regional workforce
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on Asean nations to intensify collaboration in skills development to ensure the region's workforce remains competitive, adaptable and inclusive. This was the central message delivered at the Asean Training Market Conference (ATMC) 2025 in Berjaya Times Square Hotel today, where more than 600 delegates, including training providers, employers, policymakers and experts from across the region gathered to strengthen the region's training supply ecosystem. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who officiated the event, said that Asean's economic future hinges on its ability to train and retrain workers in response to disruption from automation, artificial intelligence, the digital economy and the green transition. "To transform our economies, we must first change how we train our people. We can no longer afford to teach yesterday's skills for tomorrow's jobs," he said. The ATMC, one of seven flagship events under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship and the Asean Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, is positioned as a key platform for aligning regional training efforts with emerging labour market needs. "We need training ecosystems that are digitally enabled, industry-led and forward-looking not just in one country, but across the region," said Rahman. HRD Corp chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid said there was a need to reform training systems and ensure access across all sectors, especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities and informal workers. "This is not just another conference. It is a deliberate step towards reforming how training is designed, delivered and scaled in Asean," he said. Abu Huraira added that HRD Corp, which oversaw over 50,000 trainers and a wide range of certified programmes in Malaysia, was committed to sharing its experiences while learning from counterparts in the region. "Let this be the start of concrete actions that translate into new frameworks, cross-border cooperation and a more unified Aseantraining ecosystem," he added. Themed "Empowering Asean's Training Supply: Bridging Skills Gap, Innovation and Collaboration for a Future-Ready Economy", the conference tackled issues including credential recognition, modular training design, public-private partnerships and industry co-creation. Regional experts also lent their perspectives, including Dr Markus Bernhardt, Learning and Development Strategist for the AI-Powered Workforce; Yue Yean Feng from IBM Asia-Pacific; and Mary Kent from the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscoring the need for inclusive, responsive and collaborative human capital strategies. Secretary-General of the Human Resources Ministry Datuk Azman Yusoff and HRD Corp chief strategy officer Dr Rony Ambrose Gobilee were also present. Earlier this year, the National Training Week recorded 3.7 million participants and offered over 73,000 free courses, with participation opened to Asean countries for the first time. Upcoming regional efforts under AYOS 2025 include the Asean TVET Conference, the Global Skills Forum and the Asean Forum of Manpower Ministers.
