Kuala lumpur: The National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 were tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. The bills were introduced by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) stated that the amendments to both laws are crucial for strengthening the country's skills development system. The aim is to ensure that the Malaysian workforce is prepared to face future economic challenges based on skills and future technology. The National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the National Skills Development Act 2006 (Act 652) to streamline skills certification in Malaysia, with the goal of developing a skilled workforce.
The proposed amendments include increasing the membership of the National Skills Development Council by involving strategic ministries and professional bodies, aiming for a more inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy. Additionally, the amendments seek to recognize skills training programmes outside the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) for funding purposes under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK).
Further changes involve extending the accreditation period for skills training providers from three to six years and introducing clearer procedures for suspension and cancellation. The introduction of the Malaysian Modular Skills Certificate (MCMC) is also proposed, providing a flexible learning path aligned with lifelong learning and recognizing local workforce expertise through new categories such as skills experts, senior skills experts, and skills consultants.
The Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to amend the Skills Development Fund Act 2004 (Act 640) by expanding the scope of PTPK financing. Key amendments include the expansion of skills training loans and financial assistance to other training programmes recognized by the Skills Development Department (JPK).
The amendments are designed to strengthen governance through a more transparent approval, management, and control process for financial assistance. They also involve enhancing enforcement and investigative powers, including a 12-year time limit for legal action and travel restrictions on defaulting borrowers.
KESUMA expressed confidence that through these amendments, the country's skills development system will become more inclusive, flexible, and impactful, aligning with the MADANI Malaysia agenda, which emphasizes skills, welfare, and outcomes for the people.