TALENT Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) today hosted its Northern Region Open Day at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, bringing together 150 industry partners to drive collaboration in workforce development and future-proof Malaysia’s talent pool.
Officiated by TalentCorp chairman and Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, the event underscored the need for stronger synergy between the government, industries, and academia to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“Our goal is clear: to develop a skilled and sustainable workforce that meets the demands of today’s industries,” Wong stated in her opening speech.
She also highlighted the critical role of women’s workforce participation, noting its direct impact on household income and overall economic expansion.
Key discussions revolved around TalentCorp’s ILHAM KESUMA internship ecosystem, women-centric workforce incentives, expatriate hiring reforms, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and the green economy on job markets.
Bridging the Industry-Academia Gap
Among the speakers, Inari Technology Sdn Bhd human resources senior manager Zainul Hanifa stressed the importance of structured internships in addressing industry needs.
He noted that while internships are often an afterthought for many companies, TalentCorp’s programme has provided a structured framework to align coursework with industry training modules.
“Inari currently takes in 200 to 500 interns annually, and we have been recognised as one of the top companies in intern hiring last year,” Zainul shared.
He further emphasised the need to distinguish between training and work to ensure interns gain meaningful learning experiences instead of being used solely for routine tasks.
Workplace Inclusivity and Talent Preferences
The discussion also delved into workplace inclusivity and talent retention challenges, particularly in industries like hospitality.
Arrowood International Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Adrian Praveen highlighted difficulties in attracting and retaining employees, citing shifting work preferences among younger generations.
“Gen X seeks flexibility and structured working hours, making talent retention a challenge,” he said.
With 90% of Arrowood’s workforce being female, the company has adopted remote work and flexible arrangements to support women in the workforce.
Meanwhile, Zainul added that Inari has also taken steps to foster inclusivity, with women making up the majority of its workforce.
“We have introduced initiatives such as mother’s rooms with essential facilities to support working mothers,” he said during a session with the media.
Expanding TalentCorp’s Workforce Study
During a press conference, Wong announced that TalentCorp is entering the second phase of its workforce impact study, expanding its scope to 12 additional economic sectors, including retail, wholesale, transportation, communication, media, and tourism. This follows its initial focus on aerospace, digitalisation, and automation.
As Malaysia navigates workforce challenges, TalentCorp’s Open Day served as a platform for industry leaders to share insights and strategies for strengthening talent pipelines, fostering inclusivity, and adapting to evolving job market demands.
Story & pix by Lim Min Jun