MITI: 21,391 Semiconductor Talents Trained As Of June 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 21,391 talents have been trained in the semiconductor sector as of June 2026 through various talent development programmes conducted by higher education institutions and technical training providers, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The ministry said the efforts formed part of the government’s target to develop 60,000 highly skilled workers in the semiconductor sector by 2030, in line with the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).

The ministry said developing highly skilled talent was crucial to ensuring the availability of a workforce capable of supporting Malaysia’s shift towards higher-value semiconductor activities.

“These efforts aim to ensure local talent development keeps pace with industry requirements, improve graduate employability and strengthen the ability of local companies to master technology and develop their own intellectual property (IP),” MITI said in a written reply on the Parliament website today.

The ministry was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-Kemaman) on the government’s plans to enhance Malaysia’s capabilities in the global semiconductor supply chain and strengthen self-reliance through higher value-added activities, including IP ownership, chip design, equipment and local technology companies.

MITI said the government was committed to strengthening Malaysia’s strategic capabilities in the global semiconductor ecosystem through the NSS, with a shift from a “Made in Malaysia” approach to “Made by Malaysia”.

The shift aims to ensure Malaysia is not merely a production location, but also owns technology, expertise and IP, as well as globally competitive local technology companies.

To strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem, the government has also introduced several initiatives, including the 10+100 local champions programme, the development of an integrated circuit (IC) design ecosystem, and the establishment of the Malaysia Advanced Packaging Consortium (MAPC).

MITI said the development of highly skilled talent, particularly in IC design, was also necessary to enhance local companies’ ability to develop proprietary chip designs and reduce dependence on foreign technology and designs.

It added that the government was confident the implementation of the NSS would strengthen Malaysia’s self-reliance, enabling the country to move beyond being merely a location for chip manufacturing and testing to one capable of designing chips, developing and owning its own IP, and producing semiconductor equipment.

-- BERNAMA