KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — National Training Week (NTW) 2025 concluded with a groundbreaking 3.5 million participants, underscoring the region’s growing commitment to upskilling, reskilling and inclusive lifelong learning.
Perak Chief Minister poses for a photo with other distinguished guests and attendees after the NTW 2025 closing ceremony.
As the second flagship platform under the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, the NTW 2025 was spearheaded by Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA), The Honourable Steven Sim Chee Keong, through its agency, Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp), as part of a unified regional agenda to future-proof ASEAN’s workforce and expand access to learning and development (L&D).
At the launch of NTW 2025, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim underlined upskilling and reskilling as critical drivers of Malaysia’s economic growth and regional competitiveness.
“A country (Malaysia) cannot afford to remain stagnant by relying on outdated training models and traditional approaches. It is time to equip our people, especially the younger generation, with new and future-relevant skills.”
“Our teachers must be exposed to AI, just as our children must be educated in it. Only then can we begin to close the skills gap and ensure our people are prepared for what lies ahead,” he added.
Minister Sim who also delivered a speech during the opening ceremony shared that, “In conjunction with NTW 2025, we have collaborated with the Ministry of Education Malaysia to launch an initiative to empower artificial intelligence (AI) among educators through the AI-4-Educators programme,” adding that the training initiative through the Learning Management System (SiPP) platform is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
“This initiative, which records over 395,000 teachers from across the country participating from 7 April to 12 June 2025, has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest participation of educators in an AI training programme,” he said.
Held from 14 to 21 June, NTW 2025 introduced the theme “Learning Beyond Borders”, opening almost 73,000 free training opportunities to ASEAN citizens through a mix of in-person, live online, hybrid coaching, and self-paced e-learning. More than 12.3 million learning hours were recorded, supported by over 1,500 course providers, delivering training value exceeding USD 46 million.
Among the most sought-after courses were:
- Generative AI for Everyone
- Cybersecurity Threat Management
- Drone Flying Skills for New Pilots
- Neurodiversity Virtual Training
- Using GenAI and ChatGPT
The NTW 2025 Learning Tours concluded in Perak, underscoring its position as Malaysia’s National TVET Corridor and KESUMA-HRD Corp’s commitment to industry-driven skills across ASEAN. At the Closing Ceremony, Perak Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad reminded that while NTW has ended, its spirit and knowledge must carry on.
“We are now in a new era where manual tasks are being taken over by automation and AI systems, fundamentally changing how we work and the types of skills required by the market,” he said.
NTW 2025 is one of seven flagship events under AYOS 2025, led by Malaysia to build a future-ready ASEAN workforce, alongside upcoming platforms such as the ASEAN Training Market Conference, ASEAN TVET Conference, National Human Capital Conference, Global Skills Forum, and the ASEAN Forum of Manpower Ministers. The portal remains open until December 2025, offering free, on-demand training regionwide.
Visit:
www.nationaltrainingweek.gov.my for NTW training opportunities
www.aseanyearofskills.org on AYOS 2025
