About 25,000 trainees nationwide are expected to gain hands-on industry exposure through the Internship Placement Matching Grant for Small and Medium Enterprises (LiKES), a government initiative designed to strengthen industrial training while improving young people’s employability.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the programme has been streamlined to ensure faster access for participating companies, with the approval period reduced to just 14 working days from the previous 90 days.
As part of the improvements, an advance payment of RM2,000 will now be provided to each eligible company under the scheme. The payment, which will be disbursed starting March 1, is expected to reach companies within 14 working days, subject to the terms and conditions set by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp).
“The LiKES programme is implemented by TalentCorp on a pay-and-claim basis, supported by a total allocation of RM30 million over a three-year period beginning in 2024,” Ramanan said at a press conference after visiting TalentCorp’s headquarters.
He encouraged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as startups to fully utilise the programme, noting that it offers mutual benefits for employers and interns alike.
“This is a good platform for companies to nurture future talent while giving interns the opportunity to develop practical skills and better prepare themselves for the workforce,” he said.
Also present at the event were Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, TalentCorp Board chairman Wong Shu Qi, and TalentCorp Group chief executive officer Edward Ling.
In a related development, Ramanan said the implementation of the GIG Workers Act, which was gazetted on Dec 31 last year, is expected to be finalised soon. Although the draft legislation has been prepared by the ministry, discussions are still ongoing to refine its execution framework.
He added that the process includes deliberations on an additional RM100 million allocation announced yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to be channelled through the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK).
Meanwhile, commenting on the RM50 million allocation for the upgrading of Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), also announced by the Prime Minister, Ramanan said open tender processes would be conducted in stages once preliminary procedures are completed.
He explained that renovation works can only commence after the preparation of the bill of quantities, particularly for schools listed under Yayasan Didik Negara (YDN), in his capacity as the minister overseeing Indian community affairs.
-HR HUB
