Shahul (first row, centre) together with the local and international participants, senior labour officials, national coordinators and various representatives for the AYOS 2025 planning workshop at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur recently.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to spearhead the Asean Year of Skills (AYOS) initiative in 2025, focusing on addressing regional skills development challenges.
This initiative aims to enhance workforce competitiveness and resilience across Asean.
In line with Malaysia’s upcoming role as the Asean Chair 2025, the initiative will drive efforts to equip the region's workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The AYOS 2025 planning workshop was concluded at Berjaya Times Square Hotel here recently.
The three-day workshop marked a critical step in gearing up Asean member states (AMS) for the ambitious initiative led by the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) through its agency Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to drive skills development and foster a future-ready workforce across the region.
The workshop revolved around five crucial focus areas, including the need to identify critical skills gaps, enable greater workforce mobility and mutual recognition of skills across the Asean member states and foster inclusive growth measures that ensure equitable opportunities for all.
Participants also explored the development of public-private partnerships to enhance skills training delivery and emphasised the importance of strengthening regional competitiveness to position Asean as a leading hub for skilled talent.
The discussions culminated in actionable suggestions and frameworks to guide the implementation of AYOS 2025 initiatives.
In his opening address, HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Dawood highlighted the importance of the planning workshop in shaping the strategies and approaches for AYOS 2025.
“The AYOS 2025 planning workshop is a testament to Asean’s collective commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
“The outcomes of this workshop will serve as a roadmap for achieving the initiative’s goals, ensuring that our region remains competitive and resilient in the face of global challenges.”
Representing the ministry, its undersecretary (international division) Raja Nizam Raja Kamarulbahrin, in his speech, emphasised the vital role that the AYOS 2025 planning workshop plays in elevating the labour force standard in Asean and fostering higher economic growth in the region.
“Narrowing the skills gap in Asean is crucial for fostering a competitive and future-ready workforce, which in turn is vital for attracting more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and driving GDP growth.
“A skilled labour pool enables Asean countries to meet the evolving demands of high-value industries such as technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, making the region a more attractive destination for global investors.”
The workshop brought together 116 local and international participants from eight other countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste with attendees comprising senior labour officials, national coordinators from Asean member states, senior representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) as well as representatives from the private sector, employers and employee associations, education experts, NGOs and social institutions, policymakers, private sector leaders, education experts and regional stakeholders.
Among the pain points across Asean highlighted in the brainstorming sessions were the misconception towards Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an underrated field; the unavailability of standardised certification and recognition of skillsets to enable talent mobility; financial constraints to support human capital development for social inclusivity; the lack of unified goals to address trade barriers, educational disparities and cultural differences; and the inadequacy of expert trainers and facilities for critical skills development.
From these pain points, participants proposed that all Asean member states work together to enhance TVET by aligning curricula with industry needs and fostering partnerships between institutions and businesses.
They also explored strategies to promote talent mobility, facilitate cross-border employment, and streamline skills recognition processes.
Inclusive growth was emphasised, particularly equitable skill development for youth, women, and marginalised communities.
Additionally, discussions addressed the skills and training required to support green economies and align workforce development with environmental priorities.
AYOS 2025 will begin in 2025 and will be marked by its opening ceremony in February.
Key events and activities in Malaysia will include the upscaled National Training Week in May, the Asean Skills Forum and Asean Ministers Roundtable in June, the Growth Academy/Skill Accelerator initiative in July, Asean Human Capital Development Investment Symposium in August and finally the National Human Capital Conference and Exhibition (NHCCE) October 2025 before the AYOS closing ceremony in December.
With a shared vision and actionable strategies in place, the region is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future.
For more updates, log on to https://hrdcorp.gov.my/
