Auto industry in Malaysia to create over 29,000 new jobs

Apprximately 29,641 new jobs are expected to be created in the Malaysian automotive industry in 2018, according to a statement by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

MITI stated that the industry has demonstrated continuous holistic growth, with 27,125 new jobs created as at December last year, since the National Automotive Policy (NAP2014) was announced in 2014.

The number of new jobs created at the end of 2017 was a 4.93% increase from the 25,850 recorded in 2016. In addition, 31% of the jobs created thus far were for skilled and highly skilled workers, such as technicians, executives, engineers and designers.

The statement noted that these figures signify the increasing perception that the automotive industry is a career sector of choice for graduates.

Speaking at the Updates on the Automotive Industry 2017 and Outlook in 2018 on January 18, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamad, said that the vastness of this industry requires a holistic outlook, one that considers the impact of high value employment and business opportunities.

“The growth of the automotive industry has created new career opportunities for Malaysians. Certified human capital programmes have been developed by the MAI (Malaysia Automotive Institute) since 2014, not only to allow faster penetration of skills into the industry, but at the same time address the pertinent issue of foreign worker replacement among industry players.”

In addition, the ministry shared that several MAI programmes have also added to the increase in business productivity and growth, such as the MAI Lean Production System (LPS) and the Automotive Supplier Excellence Programme (ASEP), MAI Industry 4.0 Developmental programme.

MAI chief executive officer, Dato’ Madani Sahari said, “In line with the government’s vision to increase Industry 4.0 compliance among the domestic industry, MITI and MAI have taken the early initiative to develop the various programmes to elevate the capabilities of vendors and automotive talent in line with global trends and technology of higher complexity.”

 Photo / miti.gov.my