JOHOR BAHRU, 20 June 2026 – The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), through the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), has launched the HRD Corp ‘Pocket Talk’ Roadshow – From Policy to the People in Kempas, Johor. The programme serves as a platform to directly engage communities and provide information on various human capital development initiatives. 

Officiated by the Minister of Human Resources, YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, the programme aims to ensure that the public has easier access to information on skills development and economic opportunities that can help improve their livelihoods. 

The roadshow features a series of sharing sessions covering HRD Corp’s products and services, leadership development, individual empowerment, as well as preparations for future work challenges through continuous learning and skills enhancement. 

Johor was selected as the inaugural location for the roadshow in recognition of its position as one of the nation’s key economic growth drivers. With strategic investments continuing to expand, including through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), human capital development remains a critical component in ensuring that local talent is equipped to seize emerging economic and employment opportunities. 

In line with this aspiration, HRD Corp has further strengthened talent development efforts in the state through the Skills4Johor initiative, launched in collaboration with the Johor Strategic Human Capital Unit in 2025. Backed by an allocation of RM20 million, the initiative focuses on upskilling and reskilling the workforce to meet current and future industry needs. 

This commitment is reflected in Johor’s strong performance, with 13,425 registered employers under the HRD Corp ecosystem, benefiting 479,905 employees directly.

In 2025, HRD Corp also recorded RM208.21 million in levy collections, with RM183.96 million disbursed to employers through training claims. In addition, RM191.50 million in financial assistance was provided, enabling 232,072 individuals in Johor to undergo training. The implementation of this programme reflects HRD Corp’s commitment to ensuring that government policies and initiatives do not remain solely at the planning stage, but are instead delivered directly to communities at the grassroots level so that their benefits can be enjoyed by all segments of society. 

In his speech, YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said, the true measure of a policy’s success is not the number of policies announced, but the extent to which the people are aware of them, understand them, and ultimately benefit from them. 

“Through this ‘Pocket Talk’ Roadshow, we want to ensure that every opportunity provided by the Government reaches the people directly. When people are aware of and understand the opportunities available, they will be better prepared to enhance their skills, strengthen their competitiveness and build a better future for themselves and their families,” he said. 

Meanwhile, HRD Corp Chief Executive, Dato’ Shamir Aziz said that the programme reflects HRD Corp’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that information on human capital development is accessible to all segments of society. 

“We believe that good policies must reach the people. As such, the ‘Pocket Talk’ Roadshow was created to ensure that information on training, skills development and opportunities provided by the Government is accessible to everyone, including employees, youths, job seekers and small business owners who wish to improve their livelihoods through knowledge and skills,” he said. 

The roadshow is expected to serve as an ongoing platform to engage communities nationwide and strengthen public understanding of the various human capital development initiatives offered by the Government. 

HRD Corp will continue the ‘Pocket Talk’ Roadshow at several locations across the country as part of its efforts to raise awareness on the importance of lifelong learning, skills enhancement and sustainable workforce development in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.