iTEKAD Employment: Building Resilience and Employability for Vulnerable Segments
iTEKAD Employment is a sub-programme introduced under the iTEKAD in 2026. It aims to assist individuals from vulnerable communities to enhance employability and build their financial resilience under a ‘scholarship-like’ model.
Under each programme, participants receive a comprehensive support package which may include:
1) Technical & Soft Skills Training: Participants undergo structured training to develop job-ready skills.
2) Training Allowance: Financial support provided during the training period.
3) Financial resilience products/programmes: Products or programmes which enables participants to start building their financial resilience in the long-run. Subject to respective iTEKAD Employment programmes, this may be in the form of, but not limited to:
i) Matching Savings Programme: Encourages savings habits through matched contributions
ii) Subsidised Insurance/Takaful Coverage: Protection to strengthen financial security
ii) Subsidised Insurance/Takaful Coverage: Protection to strengthen financial security
Frequently Asked Questions on iTEKAD Employment
General Information
1. The iTEKAD Employment programme aims to assist individuals from vulnerable communities. What is Bank Negara Malaysia’s definition/interpretation of this target segment? 
- While there is no specific definition of vulnerable community by Bank Negara Malaysia, in the scope of iTEKAD Employment, it broadly refers to segments of society that are affected by gaps in access to adequate resources, support systems or appropriate financial solutions, which may limit their ability to secure stable employment and build long term financial resilience.
- This may include, but is not limited to, individuals from the low-income households and asnaf segment, school or college dropouts due to unforeseen personal/family circumstances, individuals changing careers, single mothers etc.
- Nevertheless, the selection of target segment for respective iTEKAD Employment programmes are determined by iTEKAD participating financial institutions and their implementation partners, and may vary across programmes. .
2. What qualifications are required to be eligible for iTEKAD Employment?
The minimum eligibility criteria and intake of participants are determined based on the respective programmes implemented by participating financial institutions and collaborating partners. As such, the eligibility criteria may vary across programmes, depending on their design and objectives.
3. Are the training modules and employment opportunities under iTEKAD Employment limited to specific economic sectors?
No, the iTEKAD Employment programme is open across all economic sectors. Participating financial institutions and their collaborating partners are provided with the flexibility to design their respective iTEKAD Employment programmes based on their areas of expertise and programme objectives
4. Are participants guaranteed employment upon completion of the training?
Employment is not guaranteed upon completion of the training. However, the programme provide participants with the platform to be considered for employment opportunities with the programme's collaborating partners and/or relevant companies within their networks, subject to the participants’ commitment and performance during the training and assessment stages.
Collaboration
5. I am a training provider which is interested to be a part of the iTEKAD Employment programme. Are there any requirements to be met, for me to be considered as a potential implementation partner?
The criteria and requirements for selection of implementation partners may vary across iTEKAD Employment programmes, as these are determined by the respective iTEKAD‑participating financial institutions. In assessing suitable implementation partners, financial institutions may consider factors such as the partner’s track record, credentials, and relevant recognition or engagement with government agencies, which can help ascertain the quality, reliability, and suitability of the partner for the programme.
