KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's construction workforce must be equipped with skills in robotics, automation and digital technology to meet the industry's evolving demands, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the industry's transformation requires workers to acquire new competencies in advanced manufacturing and technology-driven construction processes.
"The construction workforce of the future will require new competencies in digital design, automation, advanced manufacturing, robotics and technology-enabled construction processes," he said at the opening of International Construction Week (ICW) and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 here on Tuesday (Nov 10).
He stressed that preparing the workforce for these changes requires cooperation between educational institutions, industry players and government agencies.
"Our universities, training institutions, industry players and government agencies must work together to prepare our workforce for these changing demands," he said.
Anwar also highlighted the importance of industry exhibitions and meetings such as ICW in providing exposure to developments in the construction sector and opportunities to share knowledge with regional and international partners.
He welcomed the participation of representatives from Asean countries and other international partners, including those from the Gulf states.
Beyond adopting new technologies, Anwar said industry transformation must also be reflected in the capabilities developed within Malaysia's construction sector.
"Ultimately, the success of this transformation should not be measured only by the number of technologies introduced or projects completed.
"It must also be measured by the capabilities we develop, the opportunities we create for local businesses, the quality of homes and infrastructure we deliver, and the value we contribute to the Malaysian economy," he said.
