Malaysia must beef up workforce transformation to be future-ready

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's workforce needs to be strengthened to ensure they are future-ready, particularly in the artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy sectors, said Learning Edge founder Perthpal Singh.

Learning Edge is a professional and corporate training organisation that aims to cultivate the development of Malaysia's vibrant workforce.

Currently, Perthpal noted that only 35 to 40 per cent of Malaysian organisations are taking proactive steps to upskill their workforce to meet the challenges posed by automation and emerging technologies.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama, he highlighted data from the World Economic Forum, which estimates that 44 per cent of global workers will face significant skills disruptions within the next five years.

Malaysia, he cautioned, risks falling behind regional peers such as Singapore and Vietnam unless immediate interventions are implemented.

"The gap between what our workforce is equipped for today and what tomorrow's industries demand is widening at an alarming rate," he said.

Perthpal pointed to foundational issues in Malaysia's education system, with less than 50 per cent of secondary school students currently enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) streams. Of these, only 21 per cent pursue pure science, and 27 per cent enrol in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

"These figures are well below the levels needed to produce a talent pipeline capable of driving growth in high-demand sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and data analytics.

"Meanwhile, Singapore has invested heavily in education and training, ensuring that 70 per cent of its workforce is highly skilled," he added.

Perthpal also noted that Vietnam has doubled its investment in technology training programmes over the last decade, positioning itself as a competitive hub in the ASEAN region.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged that the Malaysian government has made some strides in addressing these issues.

"Initiatives such as the National STEM Policy and the RM6.8 billion allocation for TVET in Budget 2024 are commendable.

"Programmes like 'TVET Empowerment' have also begun aligning curricula with market needs, and efforts to inspire students through initiatives like sending young scientists to schools are steps in the right direction," he said.

However, Perthpal stressed that these efforts need to be intensified to bridge the widening gap.

"Malaysia is at a tipping point. While we have made commendable efforts in policy and initiatives, the root issues remain unaddressed," he said.

According to Perthpal, the disconnect between academia and industry is leaving Malaysia's workforce unprepared for future realities.

He urged a fundamental overhaul of Malaysia's education and training systems to emphasise practical, application-focused learning over rote memorisation, especially in STEM and TVET programmes.

In addition, he called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, suggesting that corporations adopt schools or universities to provide students with real-world exposure to emerging technologies.

"Without bold reforms and strategic investments, Malaysia risks missing out on the US$1.7 trillion (US$1 = RM4.49) global opportunity presented by Industry 4.0.

"Conversely, with bold reforms and strategic investments, Malaysia has the potential to leapfrog into a high-income nation fuelled by a future-ready workforce," Perthpal added.

-- BERNAMA

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