KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) has outlined various initiatives to enhance the skills of Malaysian workers as they face the challenges of an increasingly competitive job market. Its minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, announced plans to allocate RM3 billion for skills training management in 2025, aimed at preparing the workforce for potential disruptions driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this substantial fund will be utilised to support the estimated 600,000 jobs that may be impacted by offering re-skilling, up-skilling, and cross-skilling programmes. These efforts are intended to help workers adapt to new workplace environments and emerging technologies. Sim shared these plans at a press conference following the Life At Work Awards 2024.

Responding to findings from the ‘AI, Digital and Green Economy Impact on Malaysian Workforce’ study, spearheaded by Kesuma on November 18, Sim emphasized the importance of encouraging Malaysians, esp
ecially workers, to acquire skills that will likely become essential in the job market over the next three to five years. The study reported that 620,000 jobs-or 18 percent of Malaysia’s 3.5 million workforce-are expected to be significantly affected in the coming years due to the accelerating influence of AI, digitalisation, and the green economy.

Sim underscored the importance of these findings for the government to formulate strategies to address future labour challenges while offering Malaysians a clearer perspective on job market trends. To tackle these challenges, Kesuma plans to introduce a ‘fulfilment strategy,’ a comprehensive approach to training and skill enhancement designed to equip Malaysian workers to navigate the evolving job market.