Malaysia Calls for Stronger Regional Collaboration to Future-Proof ASEAN Workforce
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has called for stronger regional collaboration to invest in human capital and future-proof ASEAN’s workforce, said its Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Speaking at the opening of Global Skills Forum: ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 on Wednesday, Ahmad Zahid said the initiative reflects Malaysia’s firm belief that the region's future cannot be shaped in isolation.
“As we navigate this new era, Malaysia’s conviction is clear - we cannot shape the future alone. Skills transcend borders, knowledge knows no nationality and talent, when nurtured together, can lift an entire region.
“With nearly 700 million citizens, most under the age of 35, ASEAN is one of the world’s youngest and most dynamic regions and if we invest wisely, this youth dividend can drive innovation and prosperity for decades. But if we neglect it, we risk losing a generation to inequality and irrelevance,” he said.
Also present were Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim, director-general of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo and vice president of International Organisation of Employers (IOE) Matthias Thorns.
Ahmad Zahid said that under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, the country is also spearheading efforts to develop new frameworks for cross-border recognition of skills and shared investment in human capital through the Ministry of Human Resources and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
He said the collaboration between Ministry of Human Resources and HRD Corp also involved the ASEAN Secretariat, ILO and IOE.
Deputy Prime Minister also outlined three key priorities for the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025, starting with strengthening national skills systems to align education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the demands of Industry 4.0 and the green economy.
“Second, to expand reskilling and upskilling opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, also workers in the informal sector.
“Third, to promote mutual recognition of skills across borders, so ASEAN can move as one with a workforce that is mobile, competitive, and future-ready,” he said.
With the world facing rapid technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia is taking proactive steps to ensure no one is left behind in the transition.
He said that under the Malaysia MADANI framework, the government is transforming the national skills ecosystem to be more inclusive, agile and forward-looking. This includes aligning education with industry needs, integrating TVET with emerging technologies and embedding values-based learning at every level.
“As much as AI creates new possibilities, it also presents new risks - from widening inequality to job displacement. If left unchecked, it could deepen the gap between those who have access to skills and those who do not. That is why skills development must be treated not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of national resilience.
“We must recognise that the next great divide will not be between rich and poor nations but between skilled and unskilled societies. The ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn will determine whether countries rise or fall in this new global economy,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
