What happened
On 18 October 2026, the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) held its 'Pocket Talk' Road Tour – From Policy to the People in Alor Gajah, Melaka. This marked the sixth leg of the outreach series, officiated by the Minister of Human Resources, YB Dato' Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.
The programme is designed as a direct engagement platform between HRD Corp, the Government, employers and local communities, aimed at improving public understanding of HRD Corp's initiatives, facilities and support for workforce skills development.
Why it matters for employers
The Minister emphasised that Government policies and initiatives should go beyond being announced on paper — employers and employees need to actually know about, understand, and use the opportunities available to them, such as training grants and upskilling support.
The road tour also serves as a feedback channel, allowing the Government to hear directly from employers and the public about challenges they face in training, upskilling and career development, which can help shape future HRD Corp initiatives.
Melaka's HRD Corp participation numbers
According to HRD Corp, Melaka currently has 2,867 registered employers, representing 133,171 employees under the HRD Corp system.
Within the state, 6,995 training grant applications have been approved, covering 39,489 training places, with 24,729 participants having completed training to date. These figures illustrate the scale of levy-funded training activity already taking place in the state.
HRD Corp's broader goals
HRD Corp Chief Executive, Dato' Shamir Aziz, said the Pocket Talk Road Tour reflects the organisation's commitment to strengthening ties with employers and communities, and ensuring that available training facilities and opportunities are fully utilised.
He added that the priority is not simply increasing the number of people trained, but ensuring training is genuinely relevant to industry needs, practically applicable at the workplace, and valuable for employees' career development.
The initiative builds on the momentum of National Training Week (NTW) 2026, supported by the NTW portal, which HRD Corp says continues to offer more than 8,000 free courses for Malaysians to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Important note
This article summarises an HRD Corp news release about an outreach event and does not introduce any new levy rules, claim procedures or scheme changes. Employers and training providers should verify current HRDF levy rates, claimable courses, and grant application procedures directly on the official HRD Corp website, hrdcorp.gov.my, as details can be updated from time to time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HRD Corp 'Pocket Talk' Road Tour?
It is an outreach programme by HRD Corp, now in its sixth series, that brings direct engagement sessions to different states to help employers and the public better understand HRD Corp's initiatives, facilities, and training support, including levy-related benefits.
Does the Alor Gajah Pocket Talk event change any HRDF levy rules?
No. Based on the source, this event is an outreach and engagement initiative, not an announcement of new levy rates, claimable course lists, or compliance requirements. Employers should check hrdcorp.gov.my for any official rule updates.
How many employers in Melaka are registered with HRD Corp?
As stated in the release, 2,867 employers in Melaka are registered with HRD Corp, representing 133,171 employees, with thousands of training grant applications already approved in the state.
Where can employers find free courses mentioned in relation to National Training Week 2026?
HRD Corp mentions that the National Training Week (NTW) portal offers more than 8,000 free courses for Malaysians. Employers and individuals should visit the official NTW portal or hrdcorp.gov.my for details on eligibility and how to access these courses.