Malaysia has launched the Industrial Training Matching Grant Initiative for Small & Medium Enterprises (LiKES), in an aim to support structured and sustainable internship placements in SMEs and start-ups.
Run by Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), a total of RM30mn has been allocated for LiKES. The grant is part of the larger ecosystem of the Ministry of Human Resource’s (KESUMA) Practical Training Incentive (ILHAM) which includes four main components:
- Structured Industry Training Policy,
- LiKES Matching Grant,
- ITS HRD Corp Levy Programme,
- Support programmes such as MyNext by TalentCorp and others.
The matching grant will cover internship periods of up to six months and is open for application by SMEs and start-ups registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). Eligible applicants must offer internship placements lasting a minimum of 10 weeks and provide a stipulated minimum internship allowance.
- For interns pursuing Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 1 to Level 3, Diploma, Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM), the minimum allowance required is RM500 a month, where RM250 will be reimbursed monthly.
- For interns pursuing Malaysian Advanced Skills Diploma (DLKM), Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Professional Certificate, the minimum allowance required is RM600 a month, where RM300 will be reimbursed monthly.
Through this initiative, KESUMA hopes to level the internship playing field for SMEs which constitute 97% of total businesses in Malaysia and contributed 48.2% to the country’s employment in 2022.
Speaking at the launch of LiKES, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim emphasised the importance of fostering internship-friendly work environments — especially in SMEs.
“For the first time, the Government has introduced an internship matching grant to support our SMEs and start-ups. Now more employers can take part in a collective nation-building effort to nurture our young talents. LiKES, together with the existing National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP) will help to provide work readiness and welfare by offering allowances during the training period.”
In similar news, Minister Sim further announced enhancements to the Industrial Training Scheme (ITS) under the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) as part of the Ministry’s internship package tailored for employers. Employers are now able to utilise up to 50% of their levy balance as of January 2024 towards ITS for the year, effective immediately. The ceiling limit for monthly internship allowances claimable for each intern under the ITS scheme has also been removed.
The Minister also said that on-going engagement sessions are being conducted to develop the National Industrial Training Policy. which will serve as a guideline for employers in hiring interns, expected to launch in May 2024.
