More than half of Malaysians (57%) would consider quitting their jobs if their managers are not supportive of their development.
Respondents in Malaysia are also more likely to quit their jobs (55%) if their managers don’t take an interest in their long-term career planning and progression. This is particularly true for younger generations, with 58% of Gen Z and Millennials indicating they would leave, compared to 41% of Baby Boomers.
Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia said, “Malaysia’s low unemployment rate highlights the importance of providing equal training opportunities, especially when there’s a shortage of skilled workers. As companies move forward with business and digital transformation, employers need to support their employees’ upskilling to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs.”
Randstad – the world’s largest talent agency – recently released additional data from its 2025 Workmonitor research in Malaysia.
The survey findings highlight a significant gap between the expectations of talent and employers regarding training and upskilling, set against a backdrop of volatility and talent scarcity.
Malaysians are ready to embrace technology, with AI training as a top priority
In Malaysia, 35% of respondents reported that their employers did not introduce any new training programmes in the last 12 months. Employers are more likely to skip new training for older generations, as 41% of Gen X and 58% of Baby Boomers said their employers did not implement any new training programmes in the past 12 months.
Despite the lack of new training, 59% of Malaysians trust their employers to provide training opportunities that help them adapt to changing workplace demands. Gen Z workers trust their employers the most, with 66% expressing confidence, while Gen X (52%) and Baby Boomers (50%) trust their employers the least.
Survey findings reveal that talent is eager to upskill to thrive with new technologies and secure their employment amid an evolving landscape. A significant 88% of respondents feel prepared to use the latest technology at work.
Employers vs. employees: Malaysian workers split on upskilling responsibilities
About one-third of people (31%) think that it is their employers’ responsibility to upskill them in technology and AI. This sentiment is more common among older workers, with 36% of Gen X and 42% of Baby Boomers agreeing.
On the other hand, 24% of respondents believe that it is their job to improve these skills, with 27% of Gen Z and Millennials leading this view.
When it comes to developing soft skills, 29% of respondents in Malaysia think employers should provide training, with Gen X and Baby Boomers (33%) feeling this way most strongly. 21% of respondents think they should improve their soft skills on their own, with 24% of Millennials agreeing.
-HR HUB
