The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), under the Ministry of Human Resources, has opened a new branch at the Perak Techno Trade Centre. HRDF’s opening of the Perak branch will galvanise the up-skilling, re-skilling and multiskilling of the workforce in the state and better prepare them for the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). Perak contributes RM58 billion to the national GDP, with an estimated growth rate of 5.9 per cent and a workforce of some 1.01 million people. As part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region, Perak will also create new job opportunities. It is also the fourth largest host of over 75,000 SMEs (or 8.3 per cent of all SMEs in Malaysia). There is a total of 1,290 HRDF registered employers in Perak.
Deputy Minister of Human Resources Dato’ Sri Dr Haji Ismail bin Haji Abd. Muttalib said Perak plays a significant role in contributing to Malaysia’s aspirations of becoming a high-income, developed nation in the coming years. HRDF Chief Executive Dato’ CM Vignaesvaran stressed the importance of supporting employees in up-skilling or re-skilling, to help minimise the impact of retrenchment and possibly reduce the rate of unemployment. “In the event of retrenchment still occurring, HRDF offers focused support to employees affected through its 1Malaysia Outplacement Centre (1MOC) initiative. It will work closely with PERKESO which manages the Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS), aimed to provide interim support to retrenched workers to help them get back on their feet.”
