KUALA LUMPUR, 17 January 2026 – In line with the focus areas of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) and in support of the aspirations of the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Minister of Human Resources, announced today the launch of the VETRI MADANI Skills Programme 2026 (VETRI). This launch comes in conjunction with the nationwide Ponggal Day celebration marking the harvest festival.

“The VETRI MADANI Skills Programme is synonymous with the successful completion of the harvest season,” said YB Ramanan.

The Minister further highlighted, “Vetri means ‘victory’ which signifies KESUMA’s commitment to provide Malaysian Indians with the right opportunities to rise and build a better future through skills development and job placement opportunities. Through this innovative programme, we aim to create meaningful opportunities that support inclusive growth and sustainable workforce development.”

The VETRI MADANI Skills Programme affirms HRD Corp’s commitment to advancing inclusive talent development by equipping the Malaysian Indian community with future-ready skills that enhance employability, promote upward mobility and support national economic growth.

The VETRI MADANI Skills Programme is designed to empower the local Indian community through structured training programmes that improve quality of life by creating employment pathways and upskilling opportunities aligned with industry needs.

Courses will be offered across key high-growth and strategic sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Information Security, Cloud Infrastructure & Data Science Analytics, Automation, Robotics & Industry 4.0, Semiconductor & Advanced Electronics Engineering, among others.

The program is backed by a fund allocation of RM10 million from HRD Corp, with a target to train 2,000 participants nationwide. The programme aims to enhance employability and support professional upskilling through recognised certifications.

To ensure nationwide reach and effective implementation, HRD Corp will collaborate with the State Skills Development Centres and training providers registered with HRD Corp. In line with HRD Corp’s drive to ensure good governance and transparency, the programme will be administered fully online with training courses to be offered physically or in hybrid mode.

“The VETRI MADANI Skills Programme reflects HRD Corp’s commitment to support KESUMA and the MADANI Government’s mission of building a future- ready Malaysia by advancing skills and empowering talent across all communities”, said Dr. Syed Alwi bin Mohamed Sultan, the Chief Executive of HRD Corp.

For more information and updates, please visit www.hrdcorp.gov.my.