Small and medium enterprises will receive RM2,000 for every intern hired starting March 1 under the SME Industrial Training Matching Grant (LiKES), a move aimed at strengthening intern training and improving youth employability.
Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said the programme is expected to benefit up to 25,000 interns nationwide.
The scheme is implemented through Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad on a pay and claim basis, with faster approvals and quicker payments for participating SMEs.
“The RM2,000 payment will be disbursed from March 1, and companies can expect to receive it within 14 working days, subject to the conditions set by TalentCorp,” Ramanan said.
Faster Approval For Intern Hiring
One of the key improvements under LiKES is the significantly shorter approval timeline. Applications are now processed within 14 working days, compared to around 90 days previously, allowing SMEs to plan intern placements more efficiently.
LiKES is supported by a RM30 million allocation over three years starting in 2024, giving businesses greater certainty when designing and running internship programmes.
Ramanan encouraged SMEs and startups to take advantage of the scheme, stressing that LiKES is designed to ensure interns gain real workplace exposure and practical skills.
“Small and medium enterprises and startups should make the most of this opportunity. It’s a very good opportunity for interns to train themselves, enhance their skills, and better prepare for the workforce,” he said.
Companies applying for the grant are required to run structured intern programmes and submit reports to TalentCorp on how the funds are used. This ensures interns receive proper training and clear learning outcomes, with the potential to be hired full-time after completing their internship.
Extra Tax Deduction For Digital Skills Training
In addition to the intern grant, Ramanan said SMEs are also eligible for an additional 50% tax deduction on training expenditure in artificial intelligence and cyber security under the MyMahir–National AI Council for Industry (MyMahir-NAICI) initiative.
The incentive was announced under Budget 2026 by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is to support businesses in building high-value digital capabilities aligned with national priorities,” Ramanan said.
With direct financial support for interns, faster approvals and added tax incentives for future-ready skills, LiKES is positioned to raise the quality of intern experiences while helping SMEs build stronger, more competitive teams.
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