ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR ACHIEVEMENT (APA) SCHEME

The Malaysian Skills Certification through the Accreditation of Prior Achievement (APA) was launched by the Department of Skills Development (DSD) on 13th September 1996. In line with the government’s initiative to increase the skilled workforce, the scheme allows workers who are without paper qualification but are skillful and have many years of working experience to obtain the Malaysia Skill Certification without under going any form of training or test. Candidates will be required to show proof of their competencies, so they can be evaluated and endorsed by the DSD for the certification purpose.  

The workers can apply for these certifications according to the levels:-

1. Malaysian Skills Certification (MSC) for level 1,2 and 3;
2. Malaysian Diploma Skills (MSD) for level 4; and
3. Malaysia Advanced Diploma Skills (MSDS) for level 5.

The objectives of this scheme are as below:-

• to increase the number of skilled workers in Malaysia;
• to support Ministry of Human Resources in the implementation of Malaysia Skilled Certification through the DSD; and
• to give the opportunities for skilled workers to get accreditation on their competencies.

HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible for this scheme, employers must fulfill these conditions;

1. Employers must submit the application form using PSMB/PPT/1/10 form together with copies of “Enrollment and on-site Job Analysis Form for Accreditation of Prior Achievement” as to PSMB for approval.  The forms must be received by PSMB prior to the assessment date;
2. Employers can claim for multi level of certification fee subject to RM300.00 per level for every of their workers. The certification fees will be paid directly to the DSD; and
3. Employers must not have any levy arrears or outstanding interest.

HOW TO CLAIM

To ensure that the claims under this scheme will be processed and paid accordingly, employers must follow these following conditions;

1. Employers must submit claim form PSMB/PPT/T/1/09 as per together with copies of form JPK/PPT/1003 that have been endorsed by DSD for each workers; and
2. The claim for certifications will be paid directly by PSMB to DSD through the employers’ accounts.  Only workers that have completed the assessment will be paid for the certification fees.