While 85% of Malaysians said that upskilling and re-skilling are important to them, 24% said they did not receive enough training opportunities and support from their employers, according to research on behalf of Randstad Malaysia independently conducted by Kantar TNS.

Of the generations surveyed, millennials are the most invested in upskilling (61%), followed by gen Xers (53%) and gen Zers (49%). At the same time, 57% of millennials are invested in reskilling compared to 52% of gen Xers and 45% of gen Zers.

“With the emergence of new technologies, numerous job positions have undergone notable transformations, necessitating a substantial shift in employees’ technical and digital skills,” Randstad Malaysia stated. “As such, talent are looking for employers that prioritise their professional growth through ample development and learning opportunities as well as the chance to apply their skills at work. Employees who feel secure and empowered in their careers would be more confident to innovate and motivate others.”

“Implementing training, learning and development programs for employees can help companies foster a culture of continuous learning, enabling employees to improve their technical and soft skills,” the company stated. “This will better position them as an employer of choice as talent in Malaysia are always looking for organisations that invest in their learning and development for job security, digital skills development and more rewarding careers.”

Further research showed Malaysians ranked ‘attractive salary and benefits’ as the most important element they look for in an ideal employer. In the same survey, 35% of local respondents said that they would leave their employer for better compensation to cope with the rising cost of living in Malaysia. At the same time, 36% said they would consider leaving their job for better career growth opportunities.

Meanwhile, 37% of Malaysian workers fear job loss, with two in five gen-Xers feeling the pressure, Randstad noted.