Remarkable moment: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (seventh from right) after presenting token of appreciations to training providers during the NTW 2023 closing ceremony. — HRD
PETALING JAYA: More skill training courses will be made available to Malaysians for free following the huge success of the recent National Training Week (NTW) 2023 by the Human Resources Ministry.
In addition to becoming a signature annual event, NTW will be held for more than a week next year, with more free courses to benefit more people.
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, who disclosed this, said NTW was a “brilliant success” as training providers made it free for participants.
“While participants can learn new skills, course providers can use NTW as part of their national service, providing free training while also promoting their other courses,” he said in an interview.
NTW 2023, which took place from May 22 to May 28, offered over 21,000 courses in physical classes, online and hybrid formats, covering a wide range of topics and skills for all age groups.
The free courses were based on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and they were intensively implemented and career-focused.
Having featured 21,473 registered courses from 2,577 providers, Zaini said many aspects of the first NTW exceeded targets.
“We received over 129,000 enrolments, exceeding our target of 125,000. Throughout the week, more than 503,000 training hours were provided, exceeding our target of 500,000 training hours.
“That was worth more than RM250mil, but it was all done for free,” he said.
According to Zaini, courses related to computer and information technology had the highest enrolment at 12%, followed by education and training (11.4%), marketing and sales (7%), safety and health (6.5%) and accounting and finance (6.5%).
Among the top physical learning courses that people attended were Business Data Analytics with Excel Preview with 491 enrolments, Microsoft Excel Data Analysis with Excel Conditional Formulas (404), Introduction to Power Business Intelligence and Data Modelling Essentials (397), Excel for Beginners (368), and Discover the 5 Strategies to Become a Successful Professional Trainer (342).
Zaini said 44.7% of the courses were delivered online, 39.6% in classrooms, 10.5% through elearning, 3.2% through coaching, and 2% through hybrid learning.
Among the trainees, 61.6% were females, 52.4% aged between 31 and 60, 46% between 18 and 30, and 1% over the age of 60.
The ministry, said Zaini, would study the data and consider how to improve the next NTW.
“For example, only 0.6% of schoolchildren aged 17 or less participated, despite the fact that we had a good number of courses suitable for them.”
He said one of the challenges HRD Corp faced when implementing NTW 2023 was that many people were unaware of it.
“This was the first time, and not many knew initially. Many people believed they had to pay, and some wondered where they should go for training.
“There was a lot to clarify, so we used every available medium to spread the word, including mainstream media, social media, digital marketing, billboards and online influencers.
“I believe we will do better in the coming year because more people will be aware of how adaptable NTW training is,” he said.
With a longer NTW expected next year, Zaini said Malaysians would be able to enrol in more courses. “Maybe two weeks is good next year, without overburdening HRD Corp.”
He said the ministry was also considering occupying a specific location for the main event next year, where 10% to 20% of the programmes will be located.
HRD Corp collected RM1.81bil from mandatory deductions in 2022 and disbursed RM758.4mil.
Zaini said the agency would increase the number of registered employers claiming the levy to train more workers.
These included allowing employers to receive conditional approval for levy utilisation grants within 24 hours and paying employers and training providers within seven working days.
“HRD Corp has also increased the number of workshops and engagement sessions with registered employers, trainers and training providers to show them what they can use their levies for and how to effectively claim them.
“HRD Corp aims to achieve 70% levy utilisation by the end of the year,” he added.
