The Malaysian government's Program Latihan Madani (PLM) is a strategic initiative designed to empower the nation's workforce and bridge the skills gap. Let's delve deeper into PLM and explore its potential to propel Malaysia forward.
Malaysia aspires to become a high-income nation with a thriving economy. This vision hinges on the capabilities of its professionals. Recognizing this, the Malaysian government introduced the Program Latihan Madani to accelerate the country's progress towards this objective. Announced in Budget 2024 by Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PLM falls under the Madani Framework, a broader initiative promoting good governance and societal well-being.
What is Program Latihan Madani?
PLM is a comprehensive training program that equips individuals with essential skills for success in the job market. It focuses particularly on empowering underserved communities, including:
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): PLM equips employees within MSMEs with valuable skills to enhance their productivity and contribute to business growth.
Underprivileged Communities: The program empowers individuals from B40 communities, including current and formerly incarcerated individuals, to access better employment opportunities.
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): PLM ensures PWDs have the skills and resources needed to compete in the job market.
Senior Citizens and Retirees: PLM allows retirees and seniors to stay relevant in the workforce by acquiring new skills.
PLM's Focus on Specific Groups
PLM caters to various groups within the Malaysian workforce:
MSMEs: Many MSMEs struggle to afford training for their employees. PLM addresses this by providing upskilling opportunities, ultimately improving business efficiency and competitiveness.
SEBA (Senior Entrepreneurship & Business Acceleration): This initiative focuses on retired people who wish to re-enter the workforce, either for additional income or to stay active. SEBA offers training and support to help them transition back into the professional world.
SCOPE (Skills & Competency Enhancement for Opportunities Program): Recognizing formerly incarcerated individuals' challenges, SCOPE provides them with practical skills and vocational training. This fosters their successful reintegration into society by equipping them with employment and income-generating opportunities.
PWD Development: PLM empowers Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with fundamental skills through competency-based training and certifications. This initiative aims to facilitate their acceptance into the workplace and improve their overall integration into society.
B40 Development: PLM addresses the needs of B40 communities by equipping them with specific skills and knowledge through end-to-end training programs. This empowers individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and achieve greater financial security.
Why Was PLM Introduced?
PLM was introduced to address several key challenges in the Malaysian workforce:
Shortage of skilled workers: PLM bridges the skills gap by providing targeted training programs catering to industry demands. According to HRD Corp, over 300,000 Malaysians are expected to benefit from PLM by 2025.
High turnover rates in MSMEs: PLM aims to reduce turnover rates and boost workforce stability within the Malaysian economy by equipping employees with relevant skills.
Limited job opportunities for marginalized communities: PLM empowers individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to access better employment opportunities, fostering a more inclusive society.
Funding PLM
To support PLM, HRD Corp allocates 15% of registered employers' unused levy balance to the HRD Fund for the year 2023. This 15% from the unused levy balance acts as a Special Pool Fund to enhance skills development programs benefiting micro-SMEs (MSMEs) and marginalized communities. This ensures a dedicated financial stream to empower these crucial workforce segments.
How Will PLM Help Malaysians Move Forward?
PLM has the potential to revolutionize the Malaysian workforce by:
Enhancing employability: By equipping individuals with relevant skills, PLM increases their chances of securing well-paying jobs and career advancement.
Boosting economic growth: A skilled workforce is vital for driving economic progress, innovation, and attracting foreign investment.
Creating a more inclusive society: PLM empowers marginalized communities, leading to a more equitable distribution of opportunities and a stronger national identity.
Program Latiham Madani Grant
We recently got approved by HRD Corp for the Program Latihan Madani grant to run training for micro-small and medium enterprises. Our Microsoft Power BI course, An Analytical Journey of Microsoft Power BI, is available for 25 participants with a full grant.
This means if you are from an MSME, then you can attend this training with 0 cost from your side! This 3-day training comes with a certification once you have passed the official Microsoft exam.
The Analytical Journey of Microsoft Power BI is a custom-made course focusing on hands-on experience and real-world application. This training is very useful for end business users who do not have any coding experience.
You can analyse data and produce a beautiful dashboard that can interpret your data easily and allow you to view different data sets with a click.
How to know if my company is under SMSE?
The definition of micro-SMEs are as follows:
SECTOR | NO OF EMPLOYEES |
Manufacturing | Full-time employees not exceeding 200 employees |
Services and Other Sectors | Full-time employees not exceeding 75 employees |
The Future of PLM
PLM is a promising initiative with the potential to reshape the Malaysian workforce landscape. As the program progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its effectiveness and make adjustments as needed. By providing targeted training programs and fostering a culture of continuous learning, PLM can empower Malaysians to thrive in the ever-evolving job market and contribute to a brighter future for the nation.
FAQs
How can I know if my company is under the micro, small medium enterprise?
The definition of micro-SMEs is as follows:
Manufacturing sector - Full-time employees not exceeding 200 employees.
Services and Other Sectors - Full-Time employees not exceeding 75 employee
Is the An Analytical Journey of Microsoft Power BI certification training under The Program Latihan Madani 100% grant-funded?
Do I need technical experience or a technical background to learn Power BI?
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