GIATMARA is a continuing and sustaining eradication of poverty and building society level training institution established under the Companies Act and known as GIATMARA Sendirian Berhad. The administration of GIATMARA falls under MARA, an agency under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB).

The establishment of GIATMARA aims to provide technical and vocational skills training to rural and urban youth, enabling them to acquire skills as preparation to become skilled workers and technical entrepreneurs to meet the needs of industries and economic activities in the local districts and throughout the country. The budget to manage GIATMARA's operations is fully funded by the Malaysian government through allocations channelled via MARA.

GIATMARA began operations in January 1986 at GIATMARA Jitra (now known as GIATMARA Prima Kubang Pasu) with the first intake of 60 trainees in fields like Domestic Electrical, Bricklaying & Carpentry, and Iron Fabrication. The enthusiastic reception and high demand for GIATMARA programs led to its rapid expansion in terms of the number of trainees and programs offered. Currently, GIATMARA offers 39 types of courses under 12 clusters: Mechanical, Building Arts, Transportation, Manufacturing, Printing, Electrical, Computer & IT, Fabrication, Electronics/Mechatronics, Culinary, Hairdressing & Cosmetology, and Hospitality.