Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged young people involved in the gig economy to pursue upskilling and reskilling programmes through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to enhance their skills and expand their career prospects. He emphasized the necessity of this move to empower the country's estimated 1.2 million gig workers, including school leavers who lack specialised skills or qualifications.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid announced that HRD Corp had allocated about RM3 billion to implement upskilling and reskilling programmes for workers. "HRD Corp has about RM3 billion to conduct these upskilling and reskilling courses. The fund, contributed by companies, is also used for those involved in the gig economy. We want to develop a skilled workforce and do not want them to end their careers solely as gig economy drivers," he stated. He made these remarks after attending the 'Apa Kata Siswa?' programme at Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic (PIS), an event also attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the initiative aimed to produce a more highly skilled workforce and improve the career mobility of gig workers, so they would not have to rely on a single type of job throughout their working lives. He mentioned that the initiative had been implemented since January 2 and encouraged those interested to obtain information and apply for courses through the Upskill TVET portal at upskilltvet.com.my.

He also added that the government was prepared to offer suitable courses based on demand from gig workers while expanding access to skills training through higher education institutions nationwide.