Balancing Global Competence and National Identity: HR Ministry Focuses on English Skills for Workers

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22: The Human Resources Ministry has announced plans to enhance English proficiency among Malaysia’s workforce while ensuring that Bahasa Malaysia retains its status as the national language, said Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

Speaking during a Question Time session in Parliament, Ramanan outlined several strategies to integrate English components into the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS), particularly for globally oriented industries such as advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), automotive, aerospace, and professional services.

“Emphasis is placed on using technical terminology, understanding workplace documentation, and effective communication,” the minister said, adding that approximately 90% of NOSS has already been developed in English by industry panels and relevant Industry Lead Bodies, except in fields related to Islamic education, such as tahfiz programs.

The ministry is also improving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curricula by encouraging bilingual reference materials and workplace-based learning modules. Presentations and assessments at these institutions are increasingly conducted in English. Additionally, the Labour Department has made general English modules mandatory for full-time students at all Advanced Technology Training Centres nationwide.

Ramanan highlighted the e-Latih online training platform by HRD Corp as another avenue for Malaysians to improve English skills from anywhere, whether urban or rural, including Sabah and Sarawak. The platform offers over 2,000 free courses, covering English, professional communication, and workplace skills.

“English proficiency is crucial for the new workforce, especially in a high-tech, AI-driven global work environment,” Ramanan said. He emphasized that while Bahasa Malaysia serves as a unifying national identity, English functions as an international lingua franca, opening doors to knowledge, technology, trade, and global collaboration.

“Mastering English enhances employability and provides an advantage in careers requiring international communication or modern technology use,” he added.

The question on the importance of English proficiency in the local workforce was raised by Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Independent – Kuala Kangsar) during the parliamentary session.