Malaysia has approved RM47.67 million in HRD Corp training aid for 19,084 places in nine high-impact technology areas, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani told the Dewan Rakyat on 21 October. He was answering Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong).
- 22,849 people had been trained by the third quarter of 2026.
- The target is 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030.
- Pay quoted by the minister runs from RM3,500 for junior engineers to RM25,000 for specialists.
What this means for you
- Junior engineers are quoted RM3,500 to RM6,000 a month, above the manufacturing median of RM2,663.
- Ask employers whether a course is HRD Corp claimable: 19,084 places have been approved in these fields.
- Compare offers after deductions with the job offer comparison calculator.
- RM47.67 million in HRD Corp training aid is approved for these fields.
- 22,849 people were trained by Q3 2026, against a 2030 target of 60,000 engineers.
- Use the quoted ranges and DOSM medians as a reference when setting pay.
The figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| HRD Corp training aid approved | RM47.67 million |
| Training places | 19,084, across nine technology areas |
| People trained, as at Q3 2026 | 22,849 |
| Target under the National Semiconductor Strategy | 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030 |
| Semiconductor Academy, Penang | RM5 million this year |
The RM5 million academy at the Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute will train 50 specialist instructors, with a goal of 30 master trainers.
Pay quoted in Parliament
| Role | Monthly pay |
|---|---|
| Junior engineer | RM3,500 to RM6,000 |
| IC design and R&D specialist | RM8,000 to RM25,000 |
These are the minister's ranges for the industry, not DOSM figures. The DOSM medians in the chart cover every job in each industry, not only engineers.
Your numbers
| Monthly pay | EPF, SOCSO and EIS | Take-home a month | After income tax, a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM3,500 | RM409.50 | RM3,090.50 | RM3,090 |
| RM6,000 | RM702 | RM5,298 | RM5,094 |
Foundific calculations with the take-home pay calculator, for a citizen aged 30 with no bonus.
What we don't know yet
The answer did not say how many trainees have found jobs in the industry. The official Hansard was not yet available when this was written.
What to do next
- Compare offers: the job offer comparison calculator puts two offers side by side after EPF and tax.
- Industry pay: salary by industry in Malaysia.
- Government engineers: the engineer salary guide.
- Check: the figures will be compared with the Hansard when it is published.
Related guides
Sources
Dewan Rakyat answer, 21 October 2026, as reported by The Star
- The Star, Close to RM48mil approved for semiconductor skills training, Dewan Rakyat told 21 October 2026. The official Hansard was not yet available.
