High enrolment in training courses shows Malaysians crave new skill sets - Steven Sim

In disclosing this, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the ministry was initially targeting 200,000 participants in 25,000 courses.

"This proves that Malaysians crave skills training and that the training programmes we offer are able to attract the public," he told the media here last night.

He was speaking after participating in a panel session titled "Strategic Integration of Trade, Talent Management and Industry Policies: Fuelling Economic Growth Through Human Capital Development" for The Ministers Leading From the Front: Creating A Talent-Driven Economy - Government Policies and Practices programme.

NTW 2024, which started on June 24, will run until Sunday, June 30.

During the panel session, Sim said the Human Resources Ministry, together with 12 other ministries with a stake in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET), will redouble efforts to create a suitably skilled and adequate workforce in order to achieve the national economic policies.

He said this is aimed at addressing the nation's challenges due to shortage of high-skilled labour such as engineers at a time when the country is set to be a hub for both foreign and local investors to expand their operations in the high technology field.

On a related development, Sim said the National Wages Consultative Technical Committee has completed its review of the Minimum Wages Order 2022, and it would be presented to the Cabinet soon.

The government last reviewed the minimum wage in May 2022, increasing the minimum monthly wage from RM1,200 to RM1,500.

The review was made in accordance with the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732), which mandates the National Wages Consultative Council to review the minimum wages order at least once every two years.