Urgent need to reduce mismatch

Boosting growth: Sivakumar and Khaled (both centre) during the pre-launch of NTW 2023. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Efforts must be made to narrow the gap between employers’ human resources needs and the skills of job seekers so that industries in Malaysia can continue to grow, says V. Sivakumar.

The Human Resources Minister said Malaysia was experiencing this mismatch, which could also affect the marketability of local workers.

“Human capital is a crucial resource for enabling consistent and continuous economic growth. A skills mismatch will hinder this growth.

“We must address this gap in a meaningful, tangible and impactful manner,” he said.

Sivakumar was speaking at the pre-launch of the National Training Week 2023 (NTW 2023), together with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin.

On the programme, the minister said this initiative was aimed at strengthening Malaysian human capital through various types of training and courses.

The NTW 2023, which will be held nationwide from May 22 to 28, will create over RM250mil in training value.

It is also expected to train 125,000 participants, including children at preschool level and senior citizens, and record more than 500,000 training hours.

“It is our hope that this programme will act as a catalyst to boost the public’s interest in life-long learning,” said Sivakumar.

Meanwhile, Khaled announced that polytechnics and community colleges under his ministry would offer a multitude of short-term courses for free during the NTW.

“This is the best time for graduates, workers and everyone to sign up for courses offered to improve their marketability,” he added.

The minister described the process of skill acquisition, reskilling and upskilling as inevitable, especially in an era where things, including knowledge, evolved at a fast pace.

“The Covid-19 pandemic as well as changes in the global economy have resulted in an increase in unemployment among graduates, now at 4.1%. This has actually widened the skills gap,” he said.

He said unemployment and underemployment were national issues, and the parties concerned should make it a national mission to resolve the problem.

“Cross-ministry cooperation is important to create an intervention that is comprehensive and effective,” he added.