HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Dawood (back row, fourth from left) and his team promoting the NTW 2024 at HRD Corp’s office in KL.
LIFELONG learning is crucial for personal growth and professional success, especially in an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving job markets.
It ensures individuals remain competitive and adaptable, continuously enhancing their skills and knowledge. Additionally, lifelong learning fosters innovation and drives national development by creating a well-equipped, skilled workforce.
The nation’s training focused week, National Training Week (NTW) 2024, spearheaded by the Human Resources Ministry through the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), epitomises the commitment to lifelong learning in Malaysia.
With the theme “Inspiring Malaysian Excellence through Lifelong Learning,” NTW 2024 aims to empower Malaysians from all walks of life through comprehensive training initiatives that go beyond mere participation, encouraging active involvement in the nation’s growth and well-being.
To be held from June 24 to 30, NTW is a full week of training events and activities nationwide that bring together organisations and individuals from various backgrounds and industries.
These training sessions, offered for free by local industry players, span multiple locations and learning methods, ensuring accessibility for all Malaysians.
Impressive track record
Following the success of the inaugural NTW in 2023 which exceeded expectations by offering over 21,000 courses and securing over 129,000 enrolments, HRD Corp has set even bigger targets this year.
NTW 2024 aims to benefit 200,000 Malaysians through over 25,000 free courses across the country. This year, HRD Corp, together with its partners, will also be organising more than 500 learning and development events nationwide concurrently with NTW.
HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Dawood said, “Through the NTW 2024, we aim to ensure that all Malaysians have a platform to embrace upskilling and reskilling throughout their life stages. Over one week, all Malaysians nationwide will access various training courses offered for free, delivered through physical classes, online, hybrid or self-paced learning.”
Shahul added: “We hope to inspire everyone, regardless of their background, to empower themselves through upskilling and reskilling.”
He explained that HRD Corp hopes to bring together communities, including the government ministries, agencies, organisations, training providers, associations, academia and individuals to enable inclusive and impactful learning and development opportunities.
A total of 25,000 free courses will be offered to all Malaysians who want to upskill and reskill.
Key pillars
NTW 2024 focuses on five key pillars: Life Skills, Future Skills, Creativity and Innovation, Financial, and Sustainable Development.
These pillars address Malaysia’s talent and industry needs, offering training in areas such as personal development and self-actualisation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), machinery, music, arts, culture, creative education, financial literacy, environment, prosperity and other sustainable practices.
Free training courses range from skills required at the workplace like basic graphic design and Microsoft Excel, to intermediate training in Google Analytics, Python Coding and Microsoft Power BI. NTW providers also offer courses in becoming adept at social media content creation, video editing, and the fundamentals of social media strategy. Beyond that, NTW also offers courses that are fun and highly applicable to daily life, like cooking, fashion and grooming, art and design and many more.
By participating in NTW 2024, individuals can understand the importance of training in self-development, boost their self-confidence, motivation, and productivity, enhancing their employment and career advancement opportunities.
For industry partners, it provides a platform to offer relevant courses that align with the government’s economic agenda, address skills gaps, and recruit the right employees.
NTW 2024 aims to enhance strategic inter-government cooperation for training and development as well as assist the government in achieving its 35% skilled workforce target by 2030.
On a national level, NTW fosters closer cooperation between state and federal governments, strengthening human capital development initiatives and attracting greater foreign investment due to a multiskilled and dynamic workforce.
Course providers can register their programmes on the NTW official portal, while Malaysians looking to learn can easily enroll in courses via the same platform.
For details, visit the official NTW 2024 portal at www.nationaltrainingweek.gov.my
