What happened
On 25 July 2026, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Utama Anwar bin Ibrahim officiated the Kemuncak (culmination) of National Training Week (NTW) 2026 at UiTM Penang Branch, Permatang Pauh Campus. The event was also attended by the Penang Chief Minister, the Minister of Human Resources Dato' Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, HRD Corp Board Chairman Datuk Rusli bin Jaafar, and HRD Corp Chief Executive Dato' Shamir bin Aziz.
Now in its fourth year, NTW is an initiative by HRD Corp together with the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to promote lifelong learning among Malaysians. This year's theme was 'Learn. Grow. Elevate.'
Key numbers from NTW 2026
As of 24 July 2026, NTW 2026 recorded 8,682 courses offered by 1,619 course providers, with 674,818 total participations recorded nationwide.
Participation reflected wide inclusiveness, with the youngest participant aged three and the oldest aged 89. More than 12,000 participants and visitors attended the Kemuncak event itself, including training providers, educational institutions, employers, industry players, government agencies and students.
NTW 2026 ran from 20 to 26 July, offering physical, online and hybrid training covering digital skills, technology, AI proficiency, entrepreneurship, TVET, finance, creativity, personal development and other fields.
Why this matters for employers and training providers
NTW is positioned by HRD Corp as a way to widen access to free training and skills development for all Malaysians, regardless of age, background or location, not just for HRDF-registered employers or levy-paying companies.
For training providers, NTW offers a platform to showcase courses to a large national audience — over 1,600 providers took part in 2026. For employers, the event and its accompanying exhibitions, workshops and technology demonstrations highlight areas of skills demand (such as AI, digital skills and TVET) that may be relevant when planning staff training and HRDF claims.
The Minister emphasised that human capital, not natural resources, is a nation's most valuable asset, and described HRD Corp's role in leading national talent development with integrity and responsibility.
What happens after NTW week
Although the dedicated NTW week has ended, HRD Corp has stated that Malaysians can continue accessing free training opportunities throughout the year via the official NTW portal, which aggregates courses from hundreds of training providers nationwide.
The Kemuncak event also featured a Learn-A-Thon run with 3,500 runners on its second day, symbolising the collective commitment to lifelong learning, alongside interactive exhibitions and skills workshops involving various ministries, agencies, and industry partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HRD Corp's National Training Week (NTW) 2026?
NTW 2026 is a nationwide initiative by HRD Corp and the Ministry of Human Resources offering free access to training and skills development courses for all Malaysians. It ran from 20 to 26 July 2026, with a Kemuncak (culmination) event held on 25 July at UiTM Penang.
How many courses and participants were involved in NTW 2026?
As of 24 July 2026, HRD Corp recorded 8,682 courses offered by 1,619 training providers, with 674,818 participations nationwide, plus over 12,000 attendees at the Kemuncak event itself.
Can I still access NTW courses after the training week ends?
Yes. According to HRD Corp, Malaysians can continue accessing free training opportunities throughout the year via the official NTW portal, which brings together courses from hundreds of training providers nationwide.
Is NTW only for HRDF-registered employers or levy-contributing companies?
No. NTW is described as open to all Malaysians regardless of age, background or location — including students, employers, industry players and the general public — not limited to HRDF/HRD Corp levy-registered employers.