Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma), through the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), has committed RM20 million to equip up to 5,000 Malaysians with skills in cyber security, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong announced that the initiative aims to reskill and upskill Malaysian workers through a program lasting three to six months, facilitated by Indian tech giant HCL Technologies. The program will cater to employees under the Employment Insurance Scheme through Perkeso, while HRD Corp will focus on workers outside of this scheme. The minister emphasized the role of MyFutureJobs in matching trained individuals with suitable employment opportunities.

The announcement came during a press conference following the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HRD Corp, Perkeso, and HCL Technologies at Menara Perkeso. This MoU is a result of discussions initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with HCL Technologies during his diplomatic mission to India in August last year.

Minister Sim expressed optimism about the potential expansion of the program, aiming to increase the number of participants in the coming year. He highlighted the partnership as a testament to Malaysia's dedication to addressing digital skill gaps and positioning itself as a leader in regional workforce development.

In a joint statement, Perkeso, HRD Corp, and HCL Technologies announced that the first batch of trainees will commence training early this year, with applications accessible via the MyFutureJobs portal.