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 support package which may include:
Financial institutions participating in iTEKAD Employment
Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad
| Programme name | DAYA Insani |
|---|---|
| Objective | Supports participants through targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes, preparing them for future employment in nursing and manufacturing technology respectively. |
| Funding features | Donations funded |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants will be provided with financial literacy coaching session, savings account and subscription of group insurance/takaful packages during the training period. |
| Implementation partners |
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Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad
| Programme name | iTEKAD Employment programme by BMMB |
|---|---|
| Objective | Supports participants via upskilling and reskilling, upon securing employment in a range of business sectors such as food & beverages, services, retail, hospitality, construction and education. |
| Funding features | Zakat wakalah and donation fund |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial literacy exposure and mandatory matched savings |
| Implementation partners |
|
CIMB Islamic Bank
| Programme name | iTEKAD CIMB Islamic KHTP Employment & Technical Skills Programme |
|---|---|
| Objective | Supports participants through targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes, preparing them for future employment within electrical & electronics industry, semiconductors, industrial automation and advanced manufacturing technologies. |
| Funding features | Zakat wakalah and charity fund |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial education and subsidised takaful coverage for a period of one year |
| Implementation partners |
|
Public Islamic Bank
| Programme name | Public Islamic iTEKAD 5.0 – iTEKAD Sejahtera Employment Programme |
|---|---|
| Objective | Provides participants with upskilling and reskilling opportunities through technical training programmes, preparing them for employment as industry-ready technicians in the electronics and advanced manufacturing sector |
| Funding features | Public Islamic’s zakat wakalah |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial education and subsidised takaful coverage package for the first year of employment |
| Implementation partners |
|
RHB Islamic Bank
| Programme name | Employment & Vocational Empowerment Programme (EVOLVE) |
|---|---|
| Objective | Provides participants with a full-time, intensive training programme designed to prepare them for the role of Railway Assistant Train Pilot including pathways to future employment opportunities within the rail industry. |
| Funding features | RHB Islamic’s zakat wakalah |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial education, subsidised personal accident takaful coverage for the first year of employment and savings programme |
| Implementation partners |
|
Bank Simpanan Nasional
| Programme name | BSN MulaNiaga |
|---|---|
| Objective | Facilitate gradual growth of participants towards being bankable by providing training, coaching and funding in tranches |
| Funding features | Returned zakat with graduation to microfinancing facility |
| Value-added propositions | Zakat-funded grants and/or graduation to microfinancing for business expansion |
| Target segment | Asnaf and graduated asnaf, who may not be eligible for zakat assistance nor ordinary banking financing faciilities |
| Implementation partners |
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SME Bank
| Programme name | Zero to Hero 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Objective | Supports participants through targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes, preparing them for sustainable employment in the metal fabrication, welding, and offshore engineering sectors. |
| Funding features | SME Bank’s and Zurich Takaful’s zakat wakalah |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial education and subsidised takaful coverage package for the first year of employment. |
| Implementation partners |
|
Maybank Islamic
| Programme name | Accelerate with TVET |
|---|---|
| Objective | Supports participants via provision of training alongside coaching and mentoring support, with future employment in various areas including:
|
| Funding features | Zakat fund |
| Value-added propositions | Programme participants are provided with financial literacy exposure, matched savings programme and subsidised takaful protection for a period of one year |
| Implementation partners |
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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.
