Malaysia launches BAKAT MADANI initiative to widen access to skills training and quality jobs

An expected 25,000 individuals are set to benefit from the initiative within a year from mid-2026, as Malaysia brings together GLICs, GLCs and PETRONAS to expand access to skills training, job placements and social mobility.

Malaysia has launched a new national talent development initiative aimed at connecting more people, especially graduates, TVET youth and vulnerable groups, with training and employment opportunities in high-growth sectors.

The BAKAT MADANI initiative was launched by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anwar Ibrahim. It brings together Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs), Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and PETRONAS in a coordinated effort to strengthen the country’s talent pipeline.

The initiative is expected to benefit 25,000 individuals within a year from mid-2026. Participants will be offered opportunities in skills development, career placement and social mobility, with a focus on sectors seen as important to Malaysia’s future economy, including semiconductors, renewable energy, the digital economy and advanced manufacturing.

BAKAT MADANI is built around three main areas:

1. Strengthening employability and career placement in the GLIC, GLC and PETRONAS ecosystems,
2. Expanding job placement opportunities across the country's strategic sectors, and
3. Empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through close collaboration with industry to produce a workforce that meets the needs of the future economy.

A key feature of the initiative is its focus on widening access. Based on the principle of Modal Ihsan, the programme will expand its access to training, upskilling and employment opportunities to vulnerable groups, including B40 households, asnaf (who are the designated recipients of Zakat), individuals in need of a second chance as well as former members of the Malaysian Armed Forces who are going through a career transition phase.

The Government also plans to introduce special tax deductions for companies that run training programmes under the initiative. The incentive is intended to encourage wider industry participation in providing structured training and employment opportunities.

It will build on the existing employability incentive, with broader coverage for TVET graduates and a higher minimum allowance rate for trainees. Further implementation details are expected to be announced later.

Minister of Finance II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative is intended to connect talent from across the country with available opportunities.

“Talent exists in all corners of the country. Our responsibility is to build bridges that connect those talents with the opportunities available, and that is the ultimate goal of BAKAT MADANI,” he said. “When we invest in the development of the people, we also strengthen the country’s economic foundation.”

Several existing talent development programmes under GLICs, GLCs and PETRONAS will be expanded through the initiative.

• PETRONAS, together with Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp), Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation, Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Services Council and Petroleum Arrangement Contractors, has introduced Vista i-Plus, a transformation of the VISTA programme.
  • The new model integrates TVET training with institutions such as the MARA Skills Institute, National Youth Skills Institute, Advanced Technology Training Centre and Construction Academy Malaysia.
• Within the GLIC and GLC ecosystem, Khazanah Nasional will work with 23 higher education institutions to prepare young talent for employment through industrial training, technical certification and exposure to industry requirements.

The launch event was attended by more than 700 participants, including ministers, ministry secretaries-general, leaders from GLICs, GLCs and PETRONAS, as well as beneficiaries of talent development programmes from across the country.

The Ministry of Finance has also called on more government-linked companies, industry players and training institutions to participate in the initiative. 

If implemented effectively, BAKAT MADANI could serve as a national platform to align training, certification and job placement with the needs of Malaysia’s future economy, while giving more Malaysians a pathway into better-quality employment.

In a Facebook post, PM Anwar stated that BAKAT MADANI is more than just opening spaces for training and jobs, but to ensure that every Malaysian child, regardless of background has a fair opportunity to develop potential and build a more dignified life.

"We realise not everything starts from the same point. Thus, the responsibility of MADANI Government is to expand access, empower talent and ensure nothing is spilled out of the stream of progress," he added. 

READ MORE: Skill-related underemployment in Malaysia signals gap between talent growth and high-productivity jobs: Report 

Lead image / PM Anwar Facebook