KESUMA and TalentCorp Drive a People-First Strategy to Strengthen Malaysia’s Competitive and Inclusive Talent Ecosystem

KESUMA Minister, YB Dato' Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan is engaging with members of the public during an official visit

PETALING JAYA, 6 January 2026 – As Malaysia advances the MADANI Economic Framework under Belanjawan 2026: Belanjawan Rakyat, the national workforce agenda continues to place people at its core, prioritising skills, employability and career sustainability as the foundations for inclusive and resilient growth

Aligned with this vision, the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) remains committed to strengthening the national talent ecosystem through a people-centric approach that responds to both current and future labour market needs.

During his first official visit to Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) at Surian Tower today, the Minister of Human Resources, YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, highlighted that nearly half of Malaysia’s workforce is employed by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), many of whom continue to face constraints in accessing structured training and clear career pathways.

“KESUMA’s approach begins with people. When Malaysians are supported in entering the workforce, equipped with relevant skills, and enabled to remain productive, businesses will grow, and the national economy will become more resilient,” he said. The visit forms part of KESUMA’s broader engagement programme with its agencies to align policy intent with implementation.

As KESUMA’s strategic think tank, TalentCorp plays a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive national talent ecosystem that supports Malaysians across life and career stages, from students, graduates, professionals, women, veterans, diaspora, and highly skilled local and international talent, towards positioning Malaysia as a dynamic and competitive global talent hub.

KESUMA Minister, YB Dato' Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan engaged with the team at MYXpats Centre

As the backbone of Malaysia’s skills-first workforce agenda, TalentCorp’s MyMahir serves as the national ecosystem that aligns skills intelligence, training pathways and employment outcomes. Through MyMahir, KESUMA, via TalentCorp, connects policy, industry demand and workforce development to ensure Malaysians are equipped with skills that are relevant, in demand and future-ready.

At the core of this ecosystem is the industry-led MyMahir Future Skills Talent Council (FSTC), where employers define current and emerging skills requirements. By placing industry at the centre of skills planning, the FSTC reduces skills mismatches, improves entry-level wage outcomes and ensures training investments translate directly into employment opportunities. This approach has been recognised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a good practice in aligning skills development with labour market needs.

To operationalise industry-defined skills into real job opportunities, TalentCorp continues to strengthen entry pathways, particularly for students, graduates and MSMEs.

TalentCorp’s SME Industrial Training Matching Grant (LiKES) has been enhanced to improve access to quality industrial training, with approval timelines shortened to 14 working days, and employers now receive an upfront payment of RM2,000 per trainee, providing greater certainty for employers while ensuring meaningful workplace exposure and learning opportunities for young Malaysians.

In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement under Belanjawan 2026, MSMEs are also eligible for an additional 50 per cent tax deduction on training expenditure in artificial intelligence and cyber security under the MyMahir–National AI Council for Industry (MyMahir-NAICI) initiative, supporting businesses in building high-value digital capabilities aligned with national priorities.

Beyond entry into employment, KESUMA, through TalentCorp, continues to focus on sustaining workforce participation and retaining experienced talent.

Initiatives such as Wanita MyWira support women’s continued participation in the labour market, while the promotion of flexible work arrangements (FWA) enables experienced workers to remain productive across different life stages. Findings from ongoing studies on the impact of FWA in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang will be announced in the near future.

Employers facing labour shortages are also encouraged to recruit veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces through the Veteran MyWira programme, recognising their discipline, resilience and industry-relevant skills.

To complement local talent development, Malaysia continues to attract global expertise where skills gaps remain.

Enhancements to the Xpats Gateway platform have contributed to Malaysia’s improved standing in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, rising 11 places to 23rd position.

Additionally, the Government has opened pathways for highly skilled international chefs and managers to work in premium culinary and gastronomic establishments in Malaysia, supporting skills transfer while strengthening the country’s high-value tourism sector.

“Together, these initiatives form an integrated national talent ecosystem that supports Malaysians from entry into the workforce, through skills development, to sustained and inclusive workforce participation. The Government stands ready to support employers who invest in local talent through clear policies, practical implementation and industry-led collaboration,” he added.

The Ministry of Human Resources encourages employers and industry partners to play an active role in developing local talent, ensuring that human capital remains the primary driver of economic growth and people’s well-being as the nation moves into 2026.

Issued by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp)

6 January 2026