PETALING JAYA: TalentCorp has introduced two new initiatives, the Malaysia Talent Readiness Index (MyTRI) and the MyBakat Talent Incubation Programme (MyBIG), to help identify skills gaps and develop industry-ready talent as Malaysia prepares for changing workforce demands, says Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The newly-introduced MyTRI application will help identify the strengths, weaknesses and needs of Malaysia’s workforce, enabling policymakers and industry players to make data-driven decisions, he said.
“To improve, we must know where we stand. MyTRI clarifies our talent landscape so we can act effectively,” Ramanan said at the launch yesterday.
He said that MyBIG, which is a training programme, was designed to develop talent according to industry needs, including among women, military veterans and other talent groups.
Ramanan said these two initiatives formed part of a broader talent ecosystem aimed at identifying skills gaps, understanding industry needs and preparing Malaysians for job opportunities.
He also noted that the initiatives are supported by TalentCorp’s platforms such as the National Talent Incubation Ecosystem and the Future Skills Talent Council where industry players are involved from the outset in shaping training programmes to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with market demand.
These initiatives, he said, were also part of a wider effort to ensure Malaysia has the talent needed to support investment and job creation.
He noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with world leaders – including representatives from Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia and Indonesia – focused on creating investment opportunities and jobs.
“These talks bring in investments that create skilled, higher- paying jobs for Malaysians,” he said.
Ramanan also urged overseas Malaysians to return via the Returning Expert Programme to mentor local talent, embrace AI and upskill rather than fear job loss.
“Many people ask whether AI will replace them or take over their jobs.
“AI handles tasks, but humans drive the input. We must adapt and work alongside it,” he said.
TalentCorp offers free AI training through its Jelajah AI MyMahir programme.
Open to all, the scheme equips workers with income-generating digital skills.
“Using AI must be a knowledge- building process, not a knowledge-copying process,” Ramanan said.
He spoke on how talent, productivity, jobs and income must move together.
“If talent improves, productivity increases. But salaries must also increase,” he said.
TalentCorp chairman Elizabeth Wong said the partnerships formed under Minggu MyBakat would translate into tangible benefits for Malaysians.
“The value of any collaboration ultimately lies in its outcomes, when the expertise and resources shared can deliver meaningful benefits to Malaysians,” she said during her speech.
Upcoming rollouts include RM2mil in UNITAR scholarships for 50 B40 students, Axiata AI certifications for 100 women, IBM/MEREKA digital training for 1,000 workers and 500 Google Career Certificates.
