ACT 652 AMENDMENTS INTRODUCE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATES TO STRENGTHEN TVET LANDSCAPE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 [Act 652], passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, introduces three national specialist certificates to recognise the expertise of local skilled workers for the first time, marking a major shift in the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) landscape.

The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) said in a statement today that the three new categories — Skills Specialist, Senior Skills Specialist and Skills Consultant — were created specifically to assess and recognise the experience and expertise of local skilled workers in line with international standards.

“Act 652, which has been in force for nearly two decades, is now strengthened through 15 amendment clauses to expand skills recognition and enhance the quality of training providers. These amendments ensure that the Department of Skills Development (JPK) remains relevant and responsive to emerging industry needs, including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, green technology and semiconductors,” it said.

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The amendments also strengthen TVET governance by expanding the membership of the National Skills Development Council (MPKK) to include related ministries and the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), ensuring that skills policies and directions are guided by real technical expertise.

In addition, JPK may now recognise training programmes outside the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS), including frontier training such as AI, automation, semiconductors and green technology, for Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) financing purposes.

The amendments also extend the accreditation period for skills training centres from three years to up to six years, and introduce new procedures for suspension and revocation of accreditation to enhance the integrity of training providers.

They also introduce the Malaysian Modular Skills Certificate (SKMM) as a flexible lifelong learning pathway through low-cost micro-credentials, supporting the government’s efforts to elevate TVET as a mainstream education pathway and a regional skills hub by 2030.

In a separate statement, KESUMA said the Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 [Act 640], also passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, aims to strengthen the country’s skills training financing mechanism, including enhancing PTPK governance to ensure wider access to quality training.

“This measure allows more Malaysians to access quality training, including programmes outside the context of national competency standards, such as the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), which is in high demand among industries. These reforms ensure that PTPK operates sustainably, transparently and inclusively,” the ministry said.

Among the thrusts of the amendments are the expansion of Skills Training Loans and Financial Assistance to other JPK-recognised training programmes, accompanied by more transparent approval processes and financial aid controls, as well as strengthened enforcement measures, including a 12-year limit for legal action and travel restrictions for loan defaulters.

KESUMA said that with the concurrent passage of the amendments to Act 640 and Act 652, the national skills development and financing systems can now be more effectively aligned, producing a competent skilled workforce that meets industry needs.

-- BERNAMA