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85% of firms in Malaysia see the need to equip employees with digital skills

85% of firms in Malaysia see the need to equip employees with digital skills

This comes with 48% adopting digital tech platforms for day-to-day operations this year, compared to 19% in 2020, bringing to light the need for skills such as data analytics, cloud computing, digital marketing, and more.

More than eight in 10 (85%) of companies surveyed in Malaysia recognise the need to reskill their employees.

Over the past year, the focus has shifted from digital productivity and remote working skills to technical skills such as data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital marketing, and software development, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)'s recent Digital Talent Survey 2021 has revealed.

According to the survey, more companies have adopted digital platforms due to the pandemic, with 48% adopting digital tech platforms for day-to-day operations this year, compared to 19% in 2020 - thus highlighting the need for reskilling. 

The results of the survey were shared at MDEC’s Digital Talent CEO Roundtable, held during the recently concluded Malaysia Tech Month. It involved 25 CEOs and C-suite leaders of local tech companies and multinational corporations; industry associations such as the National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and Malaysia Digital Association; and think-tank Social Economic and Research Initiative (SERI).

Insights gathered from the roundtable include:

  • With regards to recruitment of digital talents, there was consensus that companies are increasingly prioritising skills over academic qualifications.
  • Companies such as GoGet tended to recruit more fresh hires from coding academies or training centres rather than fresh graduates from universities.
  • Meanwhile, companies that were unable to source or recruit suitably qualified talents were hiring freelancers, contract, or remote workers.
  • The salary growth of digital talents was much steeper than non-digital talents as the experience level grew, even though entry-level salaries may be similar for both digital and non-digital roles.
  • Industry leaders are also seeing more companies focusing on internal staff mobility, where staff are reskilling and changing roles within the organisation. Stephanie Sitt, CEO of 123RF Malaysia, cautioned that while digital skills are important, people management skills are just as – if not more – important in the increasingly remote-working environment.

“In line with MDEC’s vision to create shared prosperity amongst all Malaysians, we are committed to empowering Malaysians with the necessary skills to succeed in an increasingly digitalised economy. In this regard, the MDEC Digital Talent CEO Roundtable is an important platform to ensure alignment of our efforts with industry requirements,” said Dr Sumitra Nair, MDEC’s Vice President and Head of Digital Skills and Jobs.


Image / 123RF

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