Defence Ministry opens second career path for veterans

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is strengthening its commitment to the welfare and future of armed forces personnel and veterans through the MyBakat Veteran initiative, which aims to benefit more than 15,000 people by 2030.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the initiative underscores the ministry's new approach to ensuring that personnel receive support not only during their service but are also better prepared to pursue a second career after retirement.

He said the ministry is placing greater emphasis on aligning military skills and experience with industry requirements to broaden job opportunities for its personnel and veterans.

"We are moving away from the 'train first, find a job later' approach towards directly matching personnel's competencies with industry needs, relevant training and actual career opportunities," he said at the signing of a Note of Cooperation between the ministry and the Human Resources Ministry to implement MyBakat Veteran yesterday.

Defence secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali and human resources secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof signed the Note of Cooperation in the presence of Khaled and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

Also present was Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed by MINDEF, the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) to facilitate the placement of Perhebat trainees and veterans with companies under MEF for a six-month transition period before they are absorbed into permanent positions.

Khaled said the initiative focuses on career preparation at least two years before retirement, noting that between 5,000 and 7,000 armed forces personnel leave the service each year.

"The strategic collaboration also offers opportunities for military experience and expertise to be recognised as professional qualifications through the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) and Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM), subject to competency assessments and eligibility criteria.

"It also strengthens the roles of Perhebat and the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV), with support from TalentCorp and relevant agencies, in providing career transition training and access to job opportunities," he said.

He said the collaboration highlights the ministry's efforts to expand the support ecosystem for military personnel through a more structured, integrated approach that responds to labour market needs.