The crucial next step is building future-ready workforce through stronger industry-education partnerships, practical training and continuous upskilling.
MALAYSIA’S push to become a regional digital hub has attracted RM54.13 billion in approved digital investments.
However, industry players warned that the country’s ability to capitalise on this growth will depend on whether it can develop enough skilled talent to support the expanding digital economy.
While investments into artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cyber security and data centres continue to accelerate, businesses are facing challenges in finding workers with the practical skills and experience needed to support these technologies.
The Need for Skilled Workforce
Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) chairman Chiew Kok Hin said investments alone would not be enough to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem without a capable workforce.
“The challenge facing businesses is finding people with the practical knowledge, operational experience and problem-solving ability to contribute effectively from the outset,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR).
The rapid pace of technological change meant professionals must continue learning and adapting to remain relevant.
“Technology is evolving so quickly that technical knowledge can become outdated within a few years,” Chiew said.
The industry needs professionals who understand fundamental concepts and have the ability to continuously learn and adapt as technologies and risks evolve.
As Malaysia’s digital infrastructure expands, demand for specialised skills in areas such as network engineering, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, AI, data centre operations and systems management is expected to grow.
However, Chiew said technical expertise must be supported by broader capabilities such as communication skills, judgement and an understanding of business needs.
To address the talent gap, MyIX has introduced industry-led training programmes to provide graduates and early-career professionals with practical exposure.
In 2023, it launched the MyIX Talent Development Programme with Forward College, focusing on areas including IP networks, systems operations, border gateway protocol (BGP), resource public key infrastructure (RPKI), domain name system (DNS), traffic monitoring and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) prevention.
In 2024, 35 graduates and early-career professionals completed a seven-day training programme covering IP networks, systems operations and the use of AI in traffic analysis and cyber security.
Employers Seek Job-ready Digital Talent
Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd founder and CEO Chan Kee Siak said companies were increasingly seeking talent who could apply technical knowledge in real-world business environments.
“A degree or certification provides an important foundation, but job readiness is developed through a combination of technical knowledge, practical experience and the ability to adapt to real workplace environments,” he said.
He added that one of the key gaps was that many graduates had limited exposure to applying their knowledge outside academic settings.
Closer collaboration between universities and industry would be important to prepare students for future digital careers.
“Universities and industry each bring different strengths to talent development, so closer collaboration is essential to ensure students are prepared for an evolving digital landscape,” he said.
He added that industry involvement through internships, industry projects and knowledge-sharing sessions could help students gain workplace exposure before entering the job market.
The AWS-Exabytes talent initiative is one example of how industry partnerships can support digital workforce development by combining technical training, certifications and career support.
The programme shows that Malaysia had strong interest among individuals seeking careers in technology, but more structured pathways are needed.
“The programme also saw an overwhelming response from applicants which highlighted that Malaysia is not lacking talent or interest in digital careers.
“Rather, there is a need for more structured platforms and opportunities that connect aspiring talent with industry, relevant skills and employment pathways,” he said.
Beyond technical expertise, employers are also increasingly seeking talent with adaptability, critical thinking, effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams as continuous learning and growth are key to long-term career success.
Over the next three to five years, demand is expected to increase for cloud computing, AI and cyber security expertise, as well as for specialised roles such as AI engineers, cyber security engineers and data centre engineers.
Building Talent for Malaysia’s Digital Ambitions
Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil said these investments represent more than capital inflows as their long-term value depends on the people who can drive innovation and business growth.
“The value of every investment is realised through people who possess the right skills to innovate, solve complex challenges and drive business growth,” he told TMR.
He said Malaysia must continue strengthening its digital talent ecosystem so that workforce development grows alongside the pace of digital transformation.
As businesses increasingly adopt emerging technologies, employers are looking for professionals who possess not only technical knowledge but also critical thinking, creativity, communication skills and adaptability.
Anuar Fariz said AI competency is becoming an increasingly important capability across industries while specialised expertise in areas such as AI engineering, cloud architecture, machine learning, digital trust and cyber resilience will continue to shape Malaysia’s competitiveness.
The next stage of talent development should focus on helping learners move from understanding technology to applying it effectively in real-world environments.
“The next phase is about strengthening the journey from learning technology to applying technology,” he said.
Anuar Fariz added that professionals with “T-shaped” capabilities, combining deep expertise in one area with broader knowledge across AI, data, cyber security, business and collaboration, will become increasingly valuable as industries continue to transform.
Strengthening Talent Pipeline Through Collaboration
Developing Malaysia’s future digital workforce requires a long-term approach involving schools, universities, industry players and technology partners working together to create stronger pathways from education to employment.
As the national digital economy agency, MDEC serves as an ecosystem builder by connecting government, academia, industry and global technolog y companies to ensure talent development remains aligned with changing workforce needs.
Through initiatives such as MyDigitalMaker, MDEC has introduced more than 493,000 students to coding, robotics, AI and computational thinking to encourage early interest in digital technologies.
At the tertiary level, the Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative strengthens collaboration between universities and industry, involving 42 faculties across 21 universities and eight polytechnics while supporting more than 81,700 students in ICT-related programmes.
MDEC has also expanded industry engagement through initiatives such as the Digital Expert Network and Hack2Hire, which provide students with mentorship, industry projects and exposure to real workplace challenges.
Preparing Malaysia for an AI-driven economy has also become a strategic priority, with MDEC working alongside global technology companies to expand access to AI training and practical learning opportunities.
A collaboration with International Business Machines Corp (IBM) aims to equip 20,000 learners and 1,000 educators with practical AI competencies to strengthen Malaysia’s future AI talent pipeline.
Beyond AI and digital infrastructure, cyber security has become another critical area as Malaysia’s digital ecosystem expands and organisations face increasingly complex cyber threats.
Not Limited to Classroom
LGMS Bhd MD Fong Choong Fook said the challenge is not only about producing more digital talent but also developing professionals who can build, operate and secure digital systems effectively.
He said cyber security requires a combination of technical knowledge and practical experience, as professionals need to understand how systems work in real environments, identify vulnerabilities and respond effectively when incidents occur.
“Cyber security cannot be mastered entirely in a classroom,” he told TMR.
Academic qualifications and certifications remain important foundations, but they must be supported by exposure to real security challenges, mentorship and continuous professional development.
“Over the next few years, Malaysia will require deeper capabilities in penetration testing, cloud and application security, threat detection, digital forensics, incident response, governance and compliance, critical infrastructure protection and AI security,” he said.
According to Fong, stronger collaboration between industry, universities, professional training providers and government agencies will be essential to create clearer career pathways and develop cyber security specialists who can support Malaysia’s digital economy.
As Malaysia continues to attract digital investments, industry leaders believe building a future-ready workforce will be critical to ensuring these investments create sustainable economic opportunities.
*Full article by The Malaysian Reserve.
