Image Sources: NewStraitsTimes
RM 7.9 B TVET Investment: Malaysia Moves to Reduce Foreign Labour Dependence
On October 11 2025, Malaysia announced an allocation of RM 7.9 billion in the 2026 budget to ramp up Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), aimed at developing high-skilled local talent and reducing reliance on foreign workers.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the National TVET Council, highlighted that funds will support training in robotics, AI, IoT, automotive and other high-skill sectors — and broaden inclusion to students from pondok and tahfiz backgrounds.
💡 Implications for the manpower services sector:
- The upskilling push signals stronger demand for local workforce — potentially shifting the external labour landscape.
- Industries relying heavily on foreign workers should revisit their manpower strategies and explore local talent integration.
- At Helpmate Solutions, we will closely monitor these training and labour-policy developments to support our clients in staying ahead.
Helpmate Solutions continuously tracks manpower and policy updates,
providing clients with timely and reliable policy insights through our PR network and research.