TalentCorp and ECERDC Strengthen East Coast Workforce Readiness Through Strategic Collaboration

Document exchange of the Memorandum of Collaboration between TalentCorp and ECERDC, witnessed by YB Dr. Sim Chon Siang, Chairman of the Pahang State Committee on Consumer Affairs and Human Resources, and Mr. Sutekno bin Ahmad Belon, Deputy Secretary General of KESUMA

Kuantan, 11 November 2025 – With the East Coast poised for its economic expansion, Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), an agency and strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), has joined forces with East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline and ensure local workers are equipped to seize the higher-value roles created by new investments.

This partnership aligns with the aspirations of the ECER Master Plan 2.0, launched in June 2025, which targets the creation of 120,000 new jobs and aims to enhance the overall quality of life for communities across the East Coast through high-quality employment and entrepreneurship.

Since 2018, ECERDC has recorded RM44.7 billion in realised private investments, resulting in the creation of more than 3,000 new jobs and over 600 entrepreneurial ventures. The Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between TalentCorp and ECERDC ensures that this economic momentum translates directly into local workforce opportunities, reducing dependence on external talent sources and curbing talent outmigration to the Klang Valley.

In pursuit to this, both organisations will jointly implement a series of regional talent initiatives, beginning with mapping local skills demand across ECER’s key growth sectors, including clean energy, logistics, manufacturing, and tourism.

Turning Partnerships and Data into Talent Pathways

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee for the State of Pahang, YB Dr. Sim Chon Siang, said that the collaboration between TalentCorp and ECERDC opens a new chapter for the East Coast workforce.

Chairman of the Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee for the State of Pahang, YB Dr. Sim Chon Siang, delivering his keynote address at the Industry Connect @ East Coast engagement session

“With the right skills, training, and pathways, our youth will no longer need to leave home to find opportunities — they can thrive right here. This partnership bridges federal initiatives with local realities, ensuring that economic growth translates into better lives for our people” he said.

Mr Edward Ling, Group Chief Executive Officer, TalentCorp in his welcoming remarks stated that the East Coast is not just Malaysia’s next growth frontier — it can be our next talent frontier.

TalentCorp Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Edward Ling delivers the Welcoming Remarks

“The East Coast is fast becoming a hub for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, rare earth, and carbon capture industries. Through this partnership, we aim to make sure that local talent is ready to take part in these new growth areas — turning regional investments into opportunities for the people who call this region home.” he added.

The Industry Connect @ East Coast 2025, held at the Zenith Hotel, Kuantan, integrates TalentCorp’s core platforms such as MyMAHIR, Malaysia Critical Occupation Lists (MyCOL), and MyNext to deliver a coordinated, data-driven approach to regional talent development. This ensures that upskilling efforts, curriculum alignment, and hiring strategies are guided by real-time labour-market intelligence, enabling East Coast talents to meet the evolving needs of industry. Also attending the event is the Deputy Secretary-General of KESUMA, Encik Sutekno bin Ahmad Belon.

This programme is set to strengthen regional talent alignment by bridging local industries with talent institutions to ensure that the skills of East Coast workers remain closely matched to emerging industry demands. It also drives economic diversification by supporting the region’s transition from traditional sectors such as oil and gas and tourism toward new growth areas including manufacturing, logistics, and green technology

Issued by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp)

11 November 2025