AI, digitalisation study by TalentCorp to guide youths on post-school job opportunities

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Most of us have heard a variation of this question when we were young: “What is your ambition?” or “What do you want to be when you leave school?”

The typical answer “back in the day” was likely a teacher, doctor, firefighter, or lawyer. Parents would even suggest working in a bank or being a government servant, as those jobs were considered stable and safe.

However, after attending a briefing with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim on Oct 10, it will be no surprise if teachers in the not-too-distant future hear these answers – “artificial intelligence (AI) engineer”, “data analyst”, “data scientist”, and “sustainability engineer” when they ask their students about their ambitions.

These are the four most valuable jobs across 10 sectors, identified in the ‘AI, Digitalisation, and Green Economy Impact Study’ by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp).

The sectors include wholesale, retail and trade, food manufacturing and services, global business services, information and communication technologies, pharmaceutical manufacturing, electrical and electronics, aerospace, medical devices, chemicals, and energy and power.

The ministry focused on these sectors as they contributed about RM933 billion or 60 per cent of Malaysia’s total gross domestic product in 2023. TalentCorp completed the six-month study at the end of September. The full findings will be released next month at the launch of the ministry’s MyMahir website.

Sim spoke to selected editors, including Twentytwo13, about the study on Oct 10. He felt it was necessary to get the word out that 600,000 workers in 10 sectors would require reskilling and upskilling in the next three to five years because of AI and digitalisation.

Instead of being a bearer of bad news, Sim said the study was to help his ministry identify how they could help the affected workers. He also wanted to stress that the MyMahir website would contain sections for parents with young children and students at higher learning institutions.

“Among the study’s target audience is parents with young kids and young adults in universities or institutes of higher learning,” said Sim.

“It is to help parents guide their children on what jobs would be available in the future and for those young adults to know what to expect when they enter the job market.

“This study aims to identify emerging jobs that will gain greater importance in the next three to five years and those that may be lost due to digitalisation. It will also inform students about their options in this evolving job market.”

Sim highlighted that the digital economy is expected to contribute 25.5 per cent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product by 2025.

Before meeting with the media, Sim held a sneak peek session, followed by a town hall meeting with industry leaders and several government agencies to explain the study and gather feedback. There was an intense question-and-answer session, which dragged on longer than expected, but it didn’t faze Sim.

Arriving at the meeting room with the waiting editors, Sim, dressed in a long-sleeved turquoise batik shirt, apologised for the delay as he made his way to his seat. Next to him was Thomas Mathew, TalentCorp’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

Sim said that the study would benefit not only parents and students but also government agencies by providing insights into the impact of artificial intelligence. It would guide investors on where to allocate their funds, help small and medium-sized enterprises focus on workforce needs, and assist employees seeking a better future.

He added that the Futures Skills Talent Council – “a collaborative effort involving industry leaders, government agencies, and TalentCorp to equip Malaysian talents with the skills needed for the future job market” – had a say in the study.

“We have 10 councils, one for each of the sectors, that gave input and their assessments of this report,” said Sim.

Addressing questions from the media, Sim said the one thing that has kept him awake since taking on a full ministerial role on Dec 11, 2023, was how to improve wages and jobs. Sim was the Deputy Finance Minister II before the Cabinet reshuffle 10 months ago.

“This is where the ministry’s ‘Ilham’ (Insentif Latihan Amali, or Practical Training Incentives) plays a vital role,” he said of the ecosystem of internship incentives for employers.

“One of the incentives encourages companies to offer paid internships, in return for a double tax break.

“Another incentive is an RM30 million grant for small companies, who can’t wait for the tax break, to pay their interns.”

Sim also said the ministry adjusted its policy to allow up to 50 per cent of the Human Resource Development Corporation levy balance to pay interns.

“Doctors have housemanship, and lawyers, chambering – which is on-the-job experience,” he said.

“Other industries should follow suit and pay their interns well. The ministry feels one of the ways for workers or university students to upskill is by being paid to be interns.”