MIDA Connects Investors With Local Talent Through Innovative Pathways - CEO

By Siti Noor Afera Abu

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is actively crafting innovative and strategic pathways, connecting investors and industry players with local talent to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama, MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said, "A key focus is nurturing stronger ties with Malaysia’s technical universities and cultivating a dynamic talent pipeline for the future."

As the country’s key agency responsible for promoting and facilitating foreign and domestic investments in Malaysia, MIDA supports investors by helping them source talent through an extensive network of local universities and training institutions.

He said MIDA also facilitates roles where local expertise is still developing and assists in securing necessary expatriate hires while encouraging the growth of local talent.

Between 2021 and 2023, MIDA facilitated the creation of approximately 150,000 job opportunities through 2,386 approved manufacturing projects, with over 81 per cent of these projects already implemented.

"Many of these positions offer high-paying roles for skilled Malaysian talent," he said.

MIDA Addresses Specific Talent for Companies Expanding in Malaysia

He highlighted that since the start of 2023, MIDA has been leading initiatives to develop specialised software engineering skills, particularly in embedded software for the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector.

This initiative is a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), the E&E Productivity Nexus under the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), MIMOS Bhd, universities, and local E&E companies. Together, they are strengthening Malaysia’s standing as a hub for technological advancement.

MIDA, in partnership with MoHE, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to produce skilled graduates, to position Malaysia among the world’s top 30 economies by 2033, as targeted by the MADANI Economy Framework.

The event also featured MoUs on workforce development with Micron Memory Malaysia, Stellantis Gurun, and Inari Technology, aimed at improving graduate employability and enhancing Malaysia’s industrial competitiveness.

On the digital front, MIDA, together with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), facilitated RM144.7 billion in digital investments from 2021 to 2023, creating 39,231 job opportunities. Of this, RM114.7 billion was invested in establishing data centres by companies such as Amazon, GDS, YTL and ByteDance.

“These efforts highlight Malaysia’s increasing significance in the digital economy and our strategic role in developing a strong talent ecosystem that supports local and foreign investors,” he said.

MIDA's Role in Industry Talent Management  

Malaysia’s workforce consistently ranks among the world’s most competitive, known for being highly educated and skilled. The country is committed to ongoing workforce training to stay responsive to evolving business demands and technological advancements.

“Our public and private sectors collaborate to develop a steady talent pipeline for future-focused industries,” he said.

Beyond promotional efforts, MIDA plays a key role in managing industry talent by partnering with stakeholders to ensure a sustainable talent supply, particularly in advanced manufacturing, services, and technology sectors.

MIDA assists investors in identifying and securing the right talent, facilitating training programmes and providing guidance on relevant policies and incentives.

MIDA also fosters collaboration between industry, academia, and the government to address talent needs, bridge skill gaps, and align education and training programmes with the future demands of the industry.

Eksplorasi Kerja MIDA @ MITI Day 2024  

Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim highlighted that the career fairs aimed to give graduates and job seekers the chance to explore a variety of career opportunities from local and international companies.

The event enabled participants to exchange information, network, and discover potential career paths, helping them make informed decisions and connect with future employers.

More than 2,000 participants, mainly graduates from various institutions across Malaysia, attended. A total of 22 companies offered over 2,600 job opportunities and internships.

Among the multinational companies present were Stellantis, Base Maintenance Malaysia, Texas Instruments, TF AMD, Shopee and Bytedance. Local industry champions such as Proton, Pentamaster, YTL DC and Straits Orthopaedics also took part in the fair.

The companies received over 1,000 resumes and conducted almost 300 on-site interviews.

Following the event, companies will continue to reach out to promising candidates for further interview sessions based on the resumes collected.

"This event underscores the success of collaboration between academia and industry," Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim added. "MIDA remains committed to supporting local talent development and bridging the gap between education and employment."

-- BERNAMA