KUALA LUMPUR, 27 February 2024 – The Minister of Human Resources YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) today announced two key initiatives aimed at expanding and strengthening access to training and development for Malaysian workforce and talents.

These are, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 13 local and international learning and development partners to add access to more courses through e-LATiH and enhancements to the ALAT levy scheme that will enable employers to increase their claims for upgrading their training facilities.

e-LATiH MOU with 13 Local & International Partners

The MOU was signed by Chief Executive Yang Berbahagia Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood, representing HRD Corp, with representatives from the 13 participating partners; Microsoft, LinkedIn, Skillsoft, Harvard Business School Publishing, Go1, Asia e University, Udacity, FutureLearn, Alibaba Cloud, Google Cloud Partner, Accenture, Rosen, and the AirAsia Academy.

The ceremony was witnessed by Minister of Human Resources, together with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Resources, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, and HRD Corp’s Chairman, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid.

The first-of-its-kind collaboration will enable HRD Corp to add access to160,000 new courses through its online learning platform e-LATiH. Currently, the platform offers close to 2,000 free courses and premium courses covering a wide range of skills areas that include leadership and management, critical thinking, digital marketing, manufacturing and automation, engineering, financial services and technologies, among others.

Beyond the numbers, the collaboration will also enable HRD Corp to offer in-demand courses in critical areas such as leadership and management courses developed by the and certification courses such as Google Data Analytics, Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst, Meta Database Engineer, and IBM Data Science. e-LATiH will also offer highly niche and specialised technical certification courses in oil and gas covering pipeline integrity, operations, inspection and risks.

Apart from bringing world-class digital learning content to the Malaysian industry, the MoU also paves the way for broader collaborative efforts between HRD Corp and the 13 partners.

Since its launch in February 2021, e-LATiH has grown into one of Malaysia’s most preferred e-learning platforms. Today, the platform boasts over 401,000 registered users, and 1.22 million enrolments. e-LATiH is available to all Malaysians through the free and premium options. To sign up or learn more, please visit elatih.hrdcorp.gov.my.

Enhancements to the ALAT Levy Scheme

In keeping with the spirit of democratising access to skills development, the Minister also announced an enhancement to HRD Corp’s ALAT scheme which will increase the allowable financial assistance to a maximum of 50% of the levy balance as at 1 January in the year the application is submitted. ALAT is a scheme that allows employers to utilise their levy to fund the purchase of training aids or setting up, renovating and enhancing training rooms. This is aimed at encouraging employers to carry out their own in-house training and skills development programmes.

Previously, the allowable financial assistance was only up to 30%. With the change, employers will also be able to place equipment, or renovate training rooms in industry training locations, for example in Industrial Training Institutes (ILP) as shared venue that can train and benefit current and future employees either from the same employer or industry. The enhancements including the details of its implementation will be announced by HRD Corp soon.

Speaking during the two announcements YB Steven Sim Chee Keong said, “The Ministry is committed to ensuring that every Malaysian can gain access to learning and development so that no one will be left behind. The courses that will be added to e-LATiH have been carefully reviewed and selected by our partners and HRD Corp to address critical skills gap and meet industry demands and expectations particularly in high value high tech areas such as AI, Machine Learning, digital fluency, sustainability, and cybersecurity.”

He added, “The enhancements to the ALAT levy scheme will encourage more registered employers to conduct and sustain in house training programmes, it will also enable them to share their training infrastructure and resources and tap into a wider range of talent pool for their current and future business needs.”

According to HRD Corp’s Chairman, Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, “As an organisation responsible for Malaysian workforce and talents for the past thirty-one years, HRD Corp must be ahead of the curve in delivering the right programmes to support all types of training programmes. Online training has rose to prominence in our post-pandemic word, necessitating the expansion of our e-LATiH platform with more high value training courses and certifications.”

At the same time, he added that physical training programmes will continue to be popular amongst employers and employees, given the value that participants place in hands on learning and face to face interactions. Therefore, the enhancements to the ALAT scheme demonstrates HRD Corp’s commitment to meeting the demands and expectations of its levy-paying stakeholders.