The Malaysian Defence Ministry has set aside RM10 million this year to fund the Work-Based Learning (WBL) programme aimed at aiding around 1,300 Malaysian Armed Forces personnel approaching retirement [1, 2].
The WBL programme enables retiring personnel to have their military experience formally assessed and recognized by higher education institutions. This allows them to obtain diplomas related to their areas of expertise, such as culinary arts, hospitality, sports coaching, and management, without sitting for formal exams [1, 2].
Most military personnel join service with only the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification and retire at about age 41 or 42 holding the same level of certification. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, "Most personnel join the military with only the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification. When they retire at the age of 41 or 42, they enter the job market with the same qualifications, making it difficult for them to compete for employment opportunities" [1].
Through the WBL programme, retiring personnel leave service with at least a diploma. The government covers the RM6,500 assessment cost per individual to facilitate this qualification upgrade [1, 2].
The Defence Ministry has also revamped the six-month transition training programme conducted by the Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) to better align with industry needs. The training aims to enable personnel to move directly into suitable jobs, earning dignified incomes without the need to search for employment [1, 2].
This combined approach of formal recognition and targeted training intends to improve the employability of retiring military personnel. The RM10 million allocation supports these efforts throughout 2026 [1, 2].
