Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan emphasizes that Malaysia’s economic growth and investments must translate into high-paying, skilled jobs for locals through targetted talent development.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s economic growth and investment gains must translate into better jobs and higher incomes for Malaysians, with talent development playing a central role, said Human Resources (Kesuma) Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
Speaking at MyBakat Week 2026 by TalentCorp today, he said the government, industry, employers, and education and training institutions must work together to ensure the country’s workforce keeps pace with changing industry needs and technological developments.
“Malaysia’s talent agenda must remain a priority as the country seeks to grow its economy, attract high-value investments and develop more advanced industries.
“We can bring in investments and technology and develop new industries, but without Malaysians having the skills needed, we will not be able to face the challenges ahead,” he said.
Ramanan said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also placed greater emphasis on securing investments and creating better employment opportunities through engagements with foreign leaders and counterparts.
“The main focus is to give us opportunities for better jobs, high-paying jobs and skilled jobs, while bringing investments into the country that will allow us to advance ourselves,” he said.
He added that Malaysia must also ensure jobs created through new investments were accessible to local talent and contributed towards improving workers’ living standards.
Ramanan also highlighted the Returning Expert Programme (REP), which seeks to tap the expertise of Malaysians with overseas experience and encourage them to contribute to the development of local talent.
He said those unable to return to Malaysia could still contribute by sharing their skills, knowledge and experience with the next generation of Malaysian talent.
“Many industries are coming into Malaysia now. But is the talent we have sufficient to meet their needs? That is what TalentCorp is working on now,” he said.
Ramanan said TalentCorp had also introduced MyTRI (National Talent Preparedness Index Platform), a national talent readiness index designed to identify Malaysia’s talent strengths, gaps and requirements.
He said the platform would enable the government and relevant stakeholders to use data to determine appropriate interventions and address talent gaps more effectively.
“The MyBakat Talent Incubation Programme, meanwhile, was designed to develop talent based on actual industry needs, including women, Malaysian Armed Forces veterans and other talent segments.
“Through the National Talent Incubation Ecosystem and the Future Skills Talent Council model, industry players would be involved from the early stages of designing relevant training programmes.
“This approach helps produce industry-ready and future-proof talent, with clearer pathways towards skills development and quality employment,” he said.
Ramanan also called on employers and industry players to alert the government to emerging skills and new occupations so the necessary talent could be developed ahead of demand.
“If new skills are emerging, tell us. If new jobs are emerging, tell us. We build the talent early.
“We cannot talk about a high-value economy while still having low-value jobs. Skills, productivity, jobs and income must move together. If skills go up and productivity goes up, wages must also go up,” he said.
Ramanan said Kesuma’s role was to ensure Malaysians were equipped to take advantage of opportunities arising from the country’s economic transformation.
He said MyBakat Week would continue as an annual event to strengthen collaboration between the government, industry, employers, and education and training institutions.
“We want more Malaysians to be skilled, to secure quality jobs and to have opportunities to increase their incomes.
“Most importantly, we want Malaysian talent to be ready not only for the jobs of today, but also for the opportunities of the future,” he said.
