35% Skilled Workforce in Sight as Malaysia Pushes Training and Automation
Malaysia is setting its sights on having more than a third of its workforce classified as skilled by 2030. Minister Tengku Zafrul said the target, alongside an annual productivity increase of 3.6%, is crucial for boosting the nation’s competitiveness.
He outlined five main strategies, with two major pillars being strengthened industry-driven training and wider automation across sectors.
“Industry exposure must be meaningful and relevant. At the same time, companies must play their part by investing in local talent development,” he said during the MITI budget debate.
Tengku Zafrul stressed that automation is key to raising productivity and reducing over-reliance on low-skilled foreign workers.
A strong pipeline of skilled Malaysian workers, he said, is vital in meeting future technology demands.
Partnerships between industries, MPC, TalentCorp and TVET institutions are also central to ensuring Malaysia stays competitive in global supply ecosystems.