IRM adds Malaysian HRD Corp funding for risk qualifications

The Institute of Risk Management has made its ICORM qualification and three professional Awards eligible for HRD Corp funding in Malaysia, widening access to internationally recognised risk training for employers and professionals. The move is aimed at closing skills gaps as Malaysian organisations face digital, AI, regulatory and operational pressures.

Why it matters: - Malaysian employers can now use HRD Corp funding to subsidise selected IRM risk programmes. - The move is designed to help organisations build in-house capability in operational, financial, technological, environmental and governance risk. - The funding aligns with Malaysia’s workforce priorities, where risk-related roles remain in shortage. - IRM says the programmes support better decision-making, stronger governance and greater organisational resilience.

What happened: - The Institute of Risk Management announced that its International Certificate in Operational Risk Management, or ICORM, and three professional Awards are now eligible for HRD Corp funding in Malaysia. - The programmes are available through IRM Asia Sdn Bhd, IRM’s regional entity and a registered HRD Corp training provider. - The announcement was made in Kuala Lumpur. - The eligible programmes are the first four risk courses IRM is offering through the funding channel.

The details: - Managing AI Risks in the Workplace is a 30-hour online Award focused on governance, ethical and operational risks tied to artificial intelligence. - Financial Services Risk Management is a 90-hour online Award covering key risks in banking, insurance and financial services. - Managing Organisational Risks is a 30-hour online Award introducing enterprise risk management principles for decision-making and resilience. - ICORM covers operational risk frameworks, controls, monitoring and reporting, risk culture, scenario analysis and event management. - TalentCorp’s MyMahir Malaysia Critical Occupations List 2024/2025 identifies Risk Manager, Risk Management Officer and Risk Analyst as shortage occupations. - The same list says demand in finance and risk management continues to exceed supply. - IRM says the programmes are meant to provide a structured learning pathway, with short specialist Awards leading to internationally recognised qualifications. - The courses are intended to give employers practical skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace. - More information is available on IRM’s website.

Between the lines: - The funding push shows how risk training is being positioned as a workforce issue, not just a compliance function. - IRM is using Malaysia as part of a broader ASEAN expansion strategy for professional risk education. - The focus on AI, digital change and regulation suggests demand is shifting toward broader enterprise risk skills rather than narrow traditional risk roles.

What’s next: - Eligible Malaysian employers can claim HRD Corp funding for approved IRM programmes. - IRM is expected to use the new funding access to widen adoption of its risk qualifications across Malaysia and the wider region. - The company says the broader goal is to expand access to professional risk management education across ASEAN.

The bottom line: - IRM is lowering the cost barrier to globally recognised risk training in Malaysia at a time when employers are being pushed to strengthen resilience, governance and AI-era risk management.