KUALA LUMPUR: The enhancement of the Human Resource Development Corporation's (HRD Corp) Allowable Cost Matrix (ACM) will significantly boost the competitiveness and productivity of Malaysian industries, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

FMM chairman Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai noted that simplifying access to continuous skills development programmes will help manufacturing companies keep their workforce agile and adaptable to industry changes.

"This, in turn, leads to higher efficiency, better product quality, and increased global competitiveness," he said in a statement.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong recently announced that companies can now claim training course fees based on hourly rates, replacing the previous half-day or full-day structures, allowing employers to benefit from shorter training programmes.

HRD Corp will also raise the ceiling for course fees to up to RM1,500 per hour or RM10,500 per day from the previous RM6,000 per day.

"These changes will enable employers to take advantage of shorter, more specialised, and high-end training programmes to upskill their employees, aligning with evolving workforce needs for continuous skills development and digital transformation," Soh added.

 - BERNAMA