The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), through its various agencies, has implemented a range of concrete and forward-looking initiatives to address the critical shortage of 10,000 engineers and artificial intelligence (AI) experts in Malaysia.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the shortage is having a direct impact on the nation’s competitiveness in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
“The government takes seriously the shortage of approximately 10,000 engineers and AI experts in Malaysia as it affects the country’s competitiveness in IR 4.0. In response, KESUMA and its agencies have implemented comprehensive and strategic initiatives to tackle this issue,” he said during a parliamentary oral question session in the Dewan Rakyat today, in response to a question by Parit Buntar MP, Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki.
Among the initiatives, the Department of Manpower (JTM) has established 33 training institutes offering TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programmes in cutting-edge technologies, including AI.
Additionally, the Department of Skills Development (JPK) has introduced a workplace-based apprenticeship model under the Academy in Industry (ADI) programme, involving over 1,700 companies and 303 training centres. This approach allows for hands-on training in real-world industrial settings.
To further enhance training and skill standardisation, JPK is also collaborating with leading industry bodies such as CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and the National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO). Together, they are developing the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) for AI and cybersecurity, based on labour market demand studies.
Abdul Rahman, who is also a member of the UMNO Supreme Council, added that TalentCorp has launched the MyMAHIR.my platform to provide career and training guidance, based on the AI, Digital, and Green Economy Impact Study.
-HR HUB
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