HRDF comments on Malaysia's progress towards industrial revolution 4.0

Malaysia's Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) has responded to comments by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, that increased technology use could see Malaysia lose 65% of the current jobs by 2027. Agreeing with the eventuality, HRDF has said that the fourth industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4) would bring about more automation and eliminate the need for manpower in routine and repetitive jobs.

In a written response to Human Resources' story, HRDF, tasked with catalysing the nation's human capital development, estimates that only two million employees (of HRDF-registered employers) out of 15 million (total Malaysian labour workforce) are reaping the benefits from HRDF’s training programmes.

In a bid for the Malaysian workforce to be up-skilled, reskilled and multi-skilled, 20 Sectorial Training Committees (STCs) have been established since 2014 to identify relevant programmes needed by the industries especially on courses that are rarely available. HRDF’s STCs have introduced the Industrial Based Certification Programme (INBASE) under HRDF’s Human Capital Strategic Initiatives.

To develop local digital talent for industry, HRDF is currently enabling funds worth RM203 million for training programmes in ICT adoption, big data, and empowerment of women, through this year uptil 2020. HRDF is also collaborating with the National Big Data Association to promote its initiative in the Development of Digital Talent for Industry, and, to date, 28 courses have been approved.

The HRDF statement adds: "We hope that more companies would be empowered to up-skill, re-skill and multi-skill their local labour force; ensuring both employers and employees adapt effectively and efficiently to the rapid changes happening in the world, in order to survive and thrive the next industrial revolution."