Budget 2026: Belia Mahir Proposes RM650 Mln PTPK Be Focused On Skills Training Loans

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The National Organisation of Skilled Workers (Belia Mahir) proposes that the RM650 million allocation for the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) under Budget 2026 be concentrated towards providing skills training loans and not shared with grant-based programmes.

Its president, Mohamad Rizan Hassan, said the fund must be used based on the original PTPK mandate, which is to help the B40 and M40 groups and school leavers, who do not have the opportunity to join public skills training institutions, to cover the training costs at recognised private institutions.

"This approach is important because it can provide wider access to youth who were previously marginalised from the training grant system, thus ensuring no youth is sidelined from having the opportunity to enhance their skills and income.

"It can also narrow the gap between public and private institutions, as well as create a more inclusive and fair TVET ecosystem,” he said in a statement today.

Mohammad Rizan also stressed the need for result-based coordination and monitoring and transparency in fund distribution.

"RM650 million for PTPK is not merely an allocation, but a huge trust to build a future generation of skilled Malaysian workers among the youth. If responsibly implemented, it can symbolise the rise of the skilled working class that can propel the country's economic transformation,” he said.

On the increase in the overall allocation of RM7.9 billion for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under Budget 2026, Mohammad Rizan said it has the potential to boost strategic sectors like electric vehicles (EV) and artificial intelligence (AI), which are now the main drivers of the country's economy.

"This increase in funds is not merely a new figure in the Budget, but a clear signal that the government is serious about empowering the development of a highly skilled workforce, which is the backbone of the National TVET Policy 2030, New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap, including the 13th Malaysian Plan,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2026 in Parliament, announced that the allocation for TVET would be increased to RM7.9 billion, compared to RM7.5 billion this year.

Anwar, also the Finance Minister, said this is aimed at training more local talents to meet the needs of high-growth industries as well as support high-priority sectors.

-- BERNAMA