Malaysia Leads ASEAN Skills Agenda at ATMC 2025

15 July 2025

KUALA LUMPUR : The Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia (KESUMA), in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), successfully hosted the ASEAN Training Market Conference (ATMC) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The event reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment to equipping its workforce with future-ready skills amid fast-evolving economic and technological landscapes.

Held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, the conference welcomed over 600 participants, including training providers, employers, policymakers, and representatives from business communities across ASEAN. The ATMC is one of seven flagship initiatives under the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025.

Officiating the event, Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, underscored the importance of strengthening the ecosystem of training providers and educators to ensure ASEAN remains globally competitive.

“Across ASEAN, we are witnessing the profound impact of automation, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and the green transition. These forces are reshaping industries, displacing traditional roles, and redefining the skills required for success,” he said.

“To transform our economies, we must first transform how we train our people. Malaysia is proud to champion this effort under our ASEAN Chairmanship, driving reforms that make our training systems industry-relevant, inclusive, and fit for the future.”

With the theme “Empowering ASEAN’s Training Supply: Bridging Skills Gaps, Innovation and Collaboration for a Future-Ready Economy,” the ATMC focused on fortifying the region’s training ecosystem.

Key discussions included enhancing the quality and capacity of training providers, addressing persistent skills mismatches, expanding access to lifelong learning, and advancing innovation in education and training delivery.

Distinguished speakers at the conference included Dr Markus Bernhardt, Learning and Development Strategist for the AI-Powered Workforce; Yue Yean Feng, Head of CSR and University Programmes at IBM Asia Pacific; and Mary Kent, Skills and Employability Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO).

HRD Corp Chairman, Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, highlighted that the ATMC is not only intended to strengthen Malaysia’s training supply, but to promote a unified, responsive ecosystem across the ASEAN region.

“We are proud to showcase diverse experiences and regional innovations throughout today’s programme. The partnerships formed here will help ensure our workforce remains competitive, resilient, and adaptable amid global shifts. Together, we can raise the standards and reach of our training markets to better serve our people and economies,” he said.

Under the leadership of Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim Chee Keong, the country continues to drive the ASEAN agenda for a skilled, mobile, and future-ready workforce.

Also present at the event were KESUMA Secretary General, Datuk Azman Yusoff; HRD Corp Chief Strategy Officer, Dr Rony Ambrose Gobilee; and Chief Programmes Officer, Soffian Mohammed Amin.

Earlier this year, Malaysia’s National Training Week (NTW)—a key initiative under AYOS 2025—recorded a historic 3.7 million participants across the region, with more than 73,000 courses offered free of charge through to the end of the year.

Looking ahead, KESUMA and HRD Corp will continue to promote regional collaboration through upcoming events, including the ASEAN TVET Conference, the National Human Capital Conference & Exhibition 2025, the Global Skills Forum, and the ASEAN Forum of Manpower Ministers for Human Capital Development.