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The KESUMA-MINDEF initiative will align military skills with industry needs and civil service opportunities, with career preparation starting at least two years before retirement.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 14 October (Wednesday) to expand second-career opportunities for Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel and veterans through MyBakat Veteran.
Coordinated by Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), an agency and strategic think tank under KESUMA, the initiative aims to reach more than 15,000 ATM personnel and veterans by 2030 through career preparation, skills development and employment support aligned with industry needs.
The MoU was signed by Datuk Azman bin Mohd Yusof, Secretary-General, KESUMA and Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary-General, MINDEF. The signing was witnessed by Dato' Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Minister of Human Resources and Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Defence.
Minister Ramanan said developing Malaysia’s skilled workforce requires recognising existing expertise while ensuring that workers’ skills remain relevant to industry needs.
He noted that ATM personnel and veterans have a range of skills and experience that could benefit industry, adding that these competencies need to be identified, recognised and strengthened through training guided by actual job market requirements.
Through MyBakat Veteran, the initiative aims to open up second-career opportunities while enabling Malaysia to draw on its existing skilled talent to support economic growth and competitiveness, he said.
Meanwhile, YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled said the collaboration reflects a shift in MINDEF’s approach to helping ATM personnel and veterans transition into civilian employment.
Rather than training personnel first before looking for jobs, the initiative will focus on matching their competencies with industry needs, relevant training and actual career opportunities.
He added that the collaboration would help establish a more integrated career transition ecosystem for ATM veterans by drawing on the expertise and programmes of agencies under KESUMA.
MyBakat Veteran to prepare personnel for retirement
Between 5,000 and 7,000 ATM personnel retire each year. Under MyBakat Veteran, career preparation will begin at least two years before retirement and include competency profiling and additional training.
TalentCorp will coordinate the initiative by connecting government agencies, the Armed Forces and industry partners. Through its MyMahir initiative and a network of 18 Future Skills Talent Councils (FSTC), it will help align military personnel’s skills with industry requirements and expand employer participation in second-career opportunities.
The ceremony also saw the launch of the Skills Recognition Pathway, developed in collaboration with the Skills Development Department (JPK).
The pathway allows military courses, training and experience to be mapped against the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS). This could provide access to the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) and Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM), subject to competency assessments and eligibility requirements.
The pilot involves three ATM groups: the Infantry Corps, the Royal Engineer Regiment and the General Services Corps (Education).
Government agencies to support skills recognition and employment
Under the collaboration, MINDEF and ATM will identify personnel approaching retirement, while JPK will support the recognition of their competencies.
The Veterans Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) will provide career transition training, while the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) will offer employment support through MYFutureJobs. The ATM Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and HRD Corp will also be involved in related areas.
Implementation will be monitored through the ATM Members’ Second Career Joint Working Committee, with TalentCorp serving as the secretariat to coordinate the initiative and industry participation.
Through the collaboration, military personnel and veterans will have a pathway to translate their experience into recognised skills and civilian employment opportunities, with support spanning career preparation, training and job matching.
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Lead image / TalentCorp
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