PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s digital investment surge is widening the talent gap, with more than RM342 billion in approved investments between 2022 and 2025 expected to generate over 114,000 jobs, most of which require specialised, high-level skills.
Human Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said about 97% of these roles are knowledge-based, highlighting the need for a skilled workforce to support the country’s digital growth.
“While investments and opportunities are expanding at a pace, talent development must keep up, and in many cases move faster, to avoid bottlenecks in Malaysia’s digital economy ambitions. From the perspective of the Ministry of Human Resources, this is a national priority,“ he said.
Azman’s speech at the soft launch of the BICSI Southeast Asia Malaysia Conference and Exhibition 2026 today was read out by Human Resources Ministry senior principal assistant secretary, international division, Mohd Azmi Isa.
Azman said demand is rising for skills in artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, cybersecurity and advanced information and communication technology (ICT) systems, which are becoming core across industries. “This presents a clear and immediate challenge. Building a future-ready workforce is not about numbers alone, but equipping Malaysians with the right skills, certifications and exposure.”
The pressure comes as the ICT sector already accounts for RM451.3 billion, or 23.4% of the economy, employing more than 1.25 million people, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
As digitalisation deepens, demand for higher-value roles is expected to rise further. To address the gap, he said, the government is strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the National TVET Policy 2030, with a focus on industry alignment and global standards.
It is also expanding certification-based training, alongside upskilling and reskilling programmes to support workers across all career stages.
“As industries evolve, so too must our workforce. Continuous learning is no longer optional; it is essential,“ Azman said.
He added that closer collaboration among government, industry, academia and professional bodies is critical to aligning skills development with market needs.
In this context, Malaysia will host regional ICT leaders at the BICSI Southeast Asia Malaysia Conference and Exhibition 2026 to strengthen its position as a regional digital infrastructure hub.
The conference, scheduled for July 21 and 22 at Sunway Resort Hotel, will focus on advancing information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in an increasingly artificial intelligence-driven landscape. The conference is organised by Tecnoviq Learning Academy, an affiliate of BICSI Southeast Asia, the global authority in ICT standards and professional certification.
Azman highlighted that the involvement of international bodies such as BICSI would help strengthen Malaysia’s talent development ecosystem by exposing local professionals to globally recognised benchmarks. “This alignment supports the Dasar TVET Negara 2030, which emphasises industry-driven training and continuous upskilling.”
He said the adoption of internationally recognised certifications, such as BICSI, and structured training pathways will certainly help strengthen industry standards while ensuring a consistent, high-quality talent pool aligned with evolving technological needs.
“Closer collaboration between industry players, training institutions and policymakers was also crucial to ensure skills development remains aligned with market needs, particularly in addressing skills mismatch and supporting workforce mobility.”
BICSI Southeast Asia executive chair Dr Garies Chong said the organisation is focused on raising industry standards, developing a skilled talent pool, and strengthening regional collaboration.
The event is supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, Invest Selangor, Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation and Cyberview, alongside industry players and global technology firms.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, digital skills are critical across Southeast Asia, but significant gaps remain. It said advances in technology, economic uncertainty and increasing geoeconomic fragmentation are expected to reshape labour markets in Southeast Asia over the 2025-2030 period.
To respond, employers in the region are placing strong emphasis on upskilling, with 96% prioritising workforce training compared with 85% globally, and 86% plan to hire staff with new skills, compared with 70% globally.
A significant number of businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines expect to address these challenges through internal job transitions. However, finding skilled talent remains a key barrier to business transformation, with employers in Singapore and Vietnam calling for policy reforms to expand the talent pool.
In Malaysia, companies expect increased restrictions on global trade and investment (45%), greater reliance on government subsidies and industrial policy (34%), and stricter anti-trust regulations (31%) to drive business transformation by 2030, all above global averages.
Employers also identify broadening digital access as a key driver of change, cited by 79% of respondents.
In response, Malaysian businesses are adopting varied approaches to reskilling.
While most expect to self-fund training programmes, 32% of reskilling efforts are projected to be co-funded across the industry, double the global average.
In addition, 35% of employers plan to consider short courses and online certifications when assessing job candidates, more than twice the global average of 14%.
