Yayasan Peneraju has introduced a new financing scheme aimed at widening access to upskilling and reskilling programmes, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence training. The new basic package is now open to the public and complements the foundation’s existing silver, gold, and platinum packages that have been available since February last year.

The initiative reflects growing demand for practical skills as job requirements continue to shift, particularly in areas linked to digitalisation and emerging technologies.

Lower Barriers To Entry For Skills Development

With the basic package, eligible applicants can receive up to RM5,000 in interest-free financing with zero administrative fees. Participants who successfully complete their training are not required to repay the financing, reducing the financial risk typically associated with skills upgrading.

Yayasan Peneraju said the scheme is intended to make training more accessible, especially for individuals who may not have the means to fund courses upfront but want to remain relevant in a changing job market.

Preparing Malaysians For AI Driven Workplaces

Yayasan Peneraju chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani said an estimated 620,000 jobs in Malaysia could be significantly affected by artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and the green economy within the next three to five years. This makes upskilling and reskilling an urgent priority for the workforce.

He said that when managed effectively, artificial intelligence has the potential to deliver more inclusive benefits across sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, services, and manufacturing. To realise these benefits, wider access to applied and job-ready training is needed.

Through the basic package, the foundation aims to help more Bumiputera talents begin building practical AI skills that can be applied directly in the workplace.

Wide Range Of AI Courses Available

The basic package launches with more than 100 AI-related training courses offered by over 40 approved learning and training institutions. The list is expected to expand over time as new programmes are introduced.

Courses are mapped to the AI readiness index framework developed by AI Singapore, allowing participants to identify suitable entry points and progress in a structured way. Training options range from introductory courses such as AI Prompting Essentials and Generative AI Essentials to more specialised tracks covering design, cloud computing, software development, data, and cybersecurity.

Who Can Apply And How Training Works

The basic package is open to applicants aged 16 and above, including school leavers, undergraduates, graduates, working adults, as well as those who are self-employed or currently unemployed. Training programmes are designed to be practical and time-efficient, with a maximum duration of six months.

This structure allows participants to gain relevant skills without committing to long academic programmes, making it easier to balance training with work or other responsibilities.

Strong Track Record And Future Targets

In 2025, Yayasan Peneraju enrolled more than 14,000 Bumiputera talents across its programmes. Nearly 9,000 of these participants were enrolled in technology-related courses, marking the highest enrolment level in the foundation’s history.

Building on this momentum, the foundation aims to enrol 12,000 participants in technology-focused programmes this year. Over the longer term, it plans to scale up to 50,000 talents annually by 2030, in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s target of developing a cumulative 100,000 talents over five years.

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