Bayan Lepas: Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), in partnership with the Future Skills Talent Council (FSTC), is working to develop new talents that enhance job skills vital for technological advancement. TalentCorp Board Chairman Wong Shu Qi stated that FSTC, guided by industry leaders, serves as a platform to identify industry-required skills, thereby addressing the shortage of qualified workers in this field.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, TalentCorp functions as a secretariat, while FSTC enables industry players to pinpoint required skills and jobs within their sectors, as many graduates enter the job market with mismatched skills. Wong explained that individuals selected for this initiative need not be fresh graduates; experienced workers are also considered. Selected participants undergo training to enhance their skills in line with current and future industry needs.
Wong highlighted the success of the first FSTC in the electronics and electrical sector, where 500 people were identified as new talents last year, receiving salary increases between five and 15 percent. This success underscores the need for 'upskilling' and 'reskilling' programs to cultivate new talent. She shared these insights at a TalentCorp Briefing with Northern Region Industry Partners at the Setia Spice Arena Convention, attended by about 150 companies.
Furthermore, Wong mentioned that TalentCorp is crafting a report on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalization, and the green economy on Malaysia's energy and work landscape. This second-phase study spans 11 sectors to assess technology's impact on 12 industries, including logistics, tourism, and communications. The first phase of this report is complete, and TalentCorp's current mandate, from Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong, is to serve as a think tank for the ministry, analyzing labor market changes driven by technology.
The study aims to serve as a reference for both policymakers and industry players in preparing the future workforce. Wong also encouraged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to apply for the Industry Training Matching Grant for SMEs (LiKES), enabling companies to train local talents through industrial training by leveraging government incentives.
The LiKES matching grant allows for a training period of up to six months, requiring qualified applicants to offer a training placement of at least 10 weeks and provide a minimum industrial training allowance.