KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has tabled two important amendments aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s skills development system.
These include amendments to the National Skills Development Act 2006 and the Skills Development Fund Act 2004.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, when tabling the bills, said the second reading of the bills would be held in the same parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the ministry said the amendments to both acts would allow for a more uniform and efficient legal framework.
“This will enable the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) to provide loans and financial assistance to a larger number of Malaysians, including those enrolled in non-Malaysian Skills Certification programmes that are in high demand by the industry.
“Through these amendments, the ministry is confident that Malaysia’s skills development system will become more inclusive, flexible, and high-impact, in line with the Malaysia Madani agenda, which emphasises skills, welfare, and citizen success,” it read.
According to the blue bill, the amendment to the National Skills Development Act aims to streamline skills certification in Malaysia to support the development of a highly skilled national workforce.
Key elements of this amendment include expanding the membership of the National Skills Development Council to include strategic ministries and professional bodies, making National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policies more inclusive.
The amendment will also recognise skills training programmes outside the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) for financing under PTPK.
“It will also extend the accreditation period for skills training providers from three to six years, and introduce clearer, more transparent, and accountable procedures for suspension and revocation,” the blue bill read.
Meanwhile, the amendments to the Skills Development Fund Act seek to expand the financing scope of the Skills Development Fund Corporation, including broadening the scope of Skills Training Loans and Financial Assistance to other training programmes recognised by the Skills Development Department.
They also aim to strengthen governance through more transparent approval, management, and control processes for financial assistance, and to enhance enforcement and investigative powers, including a 12-year limitation period for legal action and travel restrictions for defaulters.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
