Embrace Ai And Get Set For High Income Roles Workers Told

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 Human resources minister Steven Sim urges them to undergo skills training and learn, regardless of age.
Human resources minister Steven Sim (centre) at the launch of the National Training Week 2025 Learning Tour in Penang. On his right is Penang deputy chief minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo.GEORGE TOWN: The country’s workforce must embrace the use of artificial intelligence in their work and not fear it, says human resources minister Steven Sim
He said the workforce must be ready for digital, high-income roles and not just low-skilled work.
“AI is already changing the world of work. But instead of losing out, we must use it to our gain. The only way is to keep learning, at any age,” he told over 600 participants at the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Learning Tour in Penang.
The day-long event, part of a nationwide skills drive, brought together school students, the B40 group, civil servants, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Sim said the event highlighted the fact that skills training must now go “beyond borders”, in terms of access, purpose, and scope.
The northern region edition of the NTW featured free courses in AI fundamentals, robotic coding, cybersecurity, first aid, mental health, and even creative workshops like pottery and makeup for persons with disabilities.
“No one is too old to learn. Our aim is not just jobs, (but) better jobs.”
The NTW campaign, launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 14, has already surpassed its one million enrolment target, hitting 3.2 million sign-ups in less than a week.
More than 72,000 free courses have been made available under the “Learning Beyond Borders” theme.
In the northern states alone – Penang, Kedah, and Perlis – nearly 800 courses have drawn over 167,000 participants.
Sim said the campaign ties into Malaysia’s Asean Year of Skills 2025 goals, and helps build a future-ready workforce, especially in states like Penang, which the World Economic Forum recently named as a semiconductor hotspot.
He also said the new one-stop labour service centre in Seberang Jaya on the mainland would offer job matching and training tied to Penang’s growing high-tech sector.
“If we want to win in the digital age, we must train not just the best minds, but every willing hand,” Sim said.
The NTW 2025 campaign will end in Ipoh on June 21, but all courses will remain free and accessible online throughout the year via nationaltrainingweek.gov.my. - FMT

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