PENAMPANG: In a landmark development for Malaysia’s aging care sector, CarersPlus Asia’s Training Academy in Penampang has become the first institution in Sabah – and the nation – to receive accreditation under the National Dual Training System (SLDN) to offer community and home-based care training aligned with the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS).
This certification enables the academy to award the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2 and Level 3 in home and community care, opening up new career pathways for rural youth while addressing the country’s rising demand for qualified caregivers.
The recognition was formally presented by Peter Wong, Director of the Department of Skills Development (Sabah and Labuan Region), Ministry of Human Resources. He praised the academy’s commitment to quality training and its role in meeting the evolving expectations of professional care in Malaysia.
“CarersPlus’s accreditation reflects exceptional dedication to quality skills training,” said Wong.
“As community expectations for professional home care continue to rise, CarersPlus is setting the standard for excellence in developing the skilled workforce our nation needs.”
Managing Director of CarersPlus, Maria Kinson, highlighted the broader social impact of the accreditation.
“This is about more than credentials,” Maria said.
“We are creating viable career paths for youth in rural communities who have been historically overlooked, while building the care infrastructure Malaysia urgently needs as it transitions into an aging nation.”
Malaysia’s population over the age of 60 is projected to double to 14% by 2028, with the country on track to become an “aged society” by 2040—faster than many developed nations. Most elderly Malaysians prefer to age at home, yet only about 30% currently live independently, indicating a critical gap in quality home care services.
Until now, the sector has lacked standardized, formal training programs—especially ones accessible to rural communities. CarersPlus’s culturally-sensitive curriculum, developed over a decade, addresses this gap while respecting Malaysia’s diverse social fabric.
With upcoming federal regulations expected to require accredited caregivers in nursing homes and day centres, the introduction of SKM-level training is seen as a key move toward formalizing and professionalizing the caregiving sector. Kinson emphasized the need for robust standards over fragmented, short-term courses.
CarersPlus is actively recruiting students from remote areas, positioning caregiving as a respected and stable career. The academy, located in Beverly Hills Plaza, Penampang, aims to graduate 50 students this year, with a new intake of 20 students beginning community placements this September.
Greg King, CarersPlus’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, underscored the initiative’s dual impact: improving elderly care outcomes while creating real economic opportunities for rural youth.
“Over 77% of Malaysian seniors want to age at home, not in institutions. Our training programs empower communities to care for their own while enabling young people to build meaningful careers,” he said.
Citing international benchmarks, King noted that Malaysia is already classified as an “ageing society” and will soon reach “aged society” status, with over 14% of its population aged 65 or older—a trend demanding urgent policy and infrastructure development.
CarersPlus’s accreditation is seen as a crucial first step in building that infrastructure—one that not only improves quality of life for Malaysia’s elderly, but also reshapes the future for its rural youth.
