Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on young people working in Malaysia's gig economy to invest in vocational and technical education to broaden their professional prospects and develop specialised skills. Speaking at Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic in Johor Bahru on July 9, he highlighted the importance of reskilling programmes for the nation's estimated 1.2 million gig workers, many of whom are school leavers without formal qualifications or technical expertise.
The government's push reflects growing recognition of a structural challenge within Malaysia's labour market: the gig economy has expanded rapidly as a source of income, particularly among younger workers, yet it frequently becomes a career dead-end rather than a stepping stone. Workers in ride-hailing, food delivery, and similar platforms often lack the credentials or opportunities to transition into higher-wage sectors. Zahid's intervention suggests policymakers view TVET as a bridge to help gig workers escape this trap.
According to Zahid, the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has mobilised approximately RM3 billion specifically for upskilling and reskilling initiatives. These funds, contributed by employer levies across industries, are now being extended to gig workers who traditionally fall outside conventional employee-employer relationships. This represents a significant policy shift, as HRD Corp programmes have historically targeted formal sector workers with employer sponsors. By opening access to gig workers, the government is attempting to narrow a gap in Malaysia's skills development ecosystem.
The Deputy PM emphasised that the initiative aims to prevent gig work from becoming workers' sole source of income throughout their careers. Instead of accepting that individuals would remain as delivery drivers or transport platform users indefinitely, the government wants to equip them with qualifications that enable lateral mobility into manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare, and other sectors offering greater stability and advancement. This aligns with Malaysia's broader Economic Transformation Programme targets, which require a workforce capable of filling middle-skill and higher-skill roles.
Implementation began on January 2, with interested workers able to access information and register for courses through the Upskill TVET portal at upskilltvet.com.my. The platform consolidates available programmes, assessment options, and registration procedures into a single digital entry point. For gig workers often juggling multiple income sources and irregular schedules, an online portal offering flexible enrolment represents a practical accessibility measure, though uptake will likely depend on course scheduling, financial support during training, and employer recognition of resulting credentials.
Zahid's remarks were delivered at the 'Apa Kata Siswa?' programme, a government initiative inviting student feedback on national issues. The event's presence of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir signalled alignment between the education and labour development portfolios on the urgency of addressing gig worker skilling. This inter-ministerial coordination is noteworthy, as TVET typically falls between higher education and vocational training jurisdictions; unified messaging suggests the government intends serious resource commitment.
The RM3 billion allocation warrants scrutiny regarding distribution and outcomes. While substantial, this fund must stretch across upskilling existing workers while simultaneously expanding TVET infrastructure and instructor capacity nationwide. Given Malaysia's geographic disparities, institutions in rural and East Malaysian areas may face implementation challenges. Furthermore, the success of these programmes depends not only on course availability but on whether resulting qualifications are genuinely valued by employers outside the gig platform ecosystem.
For Southeast Asian context, Malaysia's approach mirrors strategies adopted by Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, where gig economy expansion has outpaced formal employment growth. Thailand's commitment to vocational training, particularly in tourism and manufacturing, and the Philippines' emphasis on skills certification programmes, suggest regional policymakers share concerns about gig economy stagnation. Malaysia's emphasis on HRD Corp funding and digital portal access positions it competitively within the region's vocational training landscape.
The government has also signalled willingness to develop courses based on actual demand from gig workers rather than impose predetermined curricula. This responsive approach requires mechanisms for gathering worker feedback and translating needs into curriculum design—a process that typically demands time and coordination between educators, industry bodies, and workers themselves. Whether these mechanisms exist or are being established remains unclear from available information.
A critical consideration involves credential recognition across Malaysia and internationally. Workers investing months in TVET programmes expect qualifications to be portable and valued in job markets. If courses result in certificates that employers recognise and reward with improved wages or employment security, uptake will accelerate. Conversely, if credentials remain peripheral to hiring decisions, participation rates will stagnate despite accessible registration and funding. The government's success will ultimately be measured by employment transitions, wage improvements, and career progression among participating gig workers over the next two to three years.
The initiative also intersects with social protection concerns. Gig workers typically lack employee benefits, unemployment insurance, or employer pension contributions. While TVET training does not directly address these deficits, it potentially enables transitions to formal employment where such protections apply. This indirect pathway to enhanced labour security may provide additional motivation for participation, particularly among workers conscious of income instability or personal vulnerability during economic downturns.
