In today’s increasingly competitive job market, academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to secure quality employment. Employers are now seeking individuals equipped with practical skills, industry experience and the adaptability needed to keep pace with rapid technological advances and evolving market demands.
Yet, a persistent mismatch between the skills possessed by job seekers and the actual needs of industry continues to make it difficult for many, including fresh graduates, to secure suitable employment.
To address this challenge, the government introduced the Industry Academy (ADI), a strategic initiative aimed at developing local talent capable of meeting current industry requirements.
Based on a ‘place and train’ concept, ADI is the result of collaboration between three key stakeholders - the government, industry and academia – and is spearheaded by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC).
Targeting job seekers, the programme is implemented through a structured accreditation system that combines theoretical learning with hands-on training, ensuring participants acquire skills that are directly relevant to industry needs.
Since its introduction, ADI has attracted participation from leading companies across various sectors, including hospitality and accommodation through Ascott International Management (Ascott Malaysia), healthcare through Columbia Asia Hospital, as well as local firms in the beauty, automotive and services industries.
OPENING DOORS TO EMPLOYMENT
Commenting on the initiative, MPC Certified Productivity Leader Associate Professor Ir Dr Noor Azlina Mohd Salleh said ADI plays a crucial role in ensuring Malaysia’s workforce possesses the competencies required by today’s labour market.
She noted that the programme is particularly relevant in an employment landscape increasingly shaped by technological advancements, automation and digitalisation across industries.
“Industry-based learning approaches such as ADI are becoming increasingly important in meeting the growing complexity of industry requirements. Employers today are not only looking for graduates with academic qualifications such as diplomas or degrees, but also individuals who possess the technical skills needed for modern workplaces.
“Programmes like this not only create opportunities for job seekers but also help graduates who face difficulties securing employment. Through ADI’s ‘train and place’ approach, participants undergo practical training based on industry requirements before being absorbed into permanent positions,” she told Bernama.
According to Noor Azlina, the ‘train and place’ model also offers an effective solution to one of the biggest hurdles faced by fresh graduates: the lack of work experience often demanded by employers.
MALAYSIAN SKILLS CERTIFICATE ADDS VALUE
Beyond enhancing employability, participation in ADI also enables graduates to obtain the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), a credential recognised by the Department of Skills Development (JPK).
Noor Azlina explained that the programme is developed based on the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS), ensuring that all skills and knowledge imparted meet industry standards and current labour market requirements.
She said the NOSS curriculum, which is designed in collaboration with industry experts, makes graduates more attractive to employers as they are job-ready and require minimal retraining.
“SKM holders not only possess fundamental knowledge in their respective fields but also master the practical skills required to perform tasks productively and in line with industry quality standards.
“They are exposed to real workplace environments, industrial equipment and compliance with safety and quality requirements, all of which are highly valued by employers,” she said.
Noor Azlina also challenged the perception that SKM qualifications are inferior to academic diplomas or degrees, describing it as an outdated stigma that needs to be changed.
In reality, she said, SKM is a professional qualification that emphasises practical competency and produces highly skilled workers.
“In sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, electrical and electronics, construction, logistics and technical services, SKM holders are often among the most sought-after employees.
“This is because industry evaluates workers based on their ability and competency to perform effectively, rather than solely on the type of academic certificate they possess,” she added.
She noted that graduates who possess both academic qualifications and SKM certification enjoy a distinct advantage by combining theoretical knowledge with practical expertise, making them more competitive and marketable in an increasingly demanding job environment.
BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP
Noor Azlina said job and skills mismatches remain among the biggest challenges faced by university graduates today.
The issue arises when graduates’ knowledge, skills and competencies do not align with actual industry requirements. As a result, many struggle to secure suitable employment despite having strong academic credentials, while employers face difficulties finding workers with the skills they need.
“This is where ADI becomes important. It provides graduates with opportunities to learn and train in real working environments. Through this experience, they gain an understanding of work processes, organisational culture and the technologies used by industry.
“When they enter the workforce, graduates not only possess academic qualifications but also relevant industry experience. This helps narrow the skills gap that often affects fresh graduates,” she said.
The urgency of the issue is reflected in the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) 2024 Annual Labour Force Statistics, which showed that 2.06 million tertiary-educated individuals were employed in jobs that did not match their academic qualifications.
The figures highlight the growing challenge of job and skills mismatches among graduates, raising concerns about the underutilisation of highly educated talent in the workforce.
Noor Azlina stressed that academic education and skills training should not be viewed as competing pathways but as complementary components in developing a knowledgeable, competent and highly skilled workforce.
“Malaysia needs more highly skilled talent, particularly among university graduates. They are among the country’s most valuable assets in strengthening industrial competitiveness and driving sustainable economic growth,” she said.
STRENGTHENING TVET THROUGH INDUSTRY EXPOSURE
Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Dr Azita Ali, said ADI serves as an important platform for strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through industry-focused training that reflects current workplace needs.
She said the approach provides participants with direct exposure to the latest technologies, work processes and industry practices, thereby improving their employability upon completing training.
The initiative also aligns with the nation’s TVET aspirations of producing highly skilled human capital capable of driving economic growth.
“Through active industry involvement in curriculum development, the learning model has shifted towards a demand-driven approach.
“The effectiveness of ADI not only has the potential to significantly boost graduate employability but also offers a strategic solution to gradually reduce Malaysia’s dependence on foreign labour,” she said.
Azita added that direct access to industry technologies enables participants, particularly fresh graduates, to sharpen their practical skills using the latest equipment and systems.
Such exposure not only strengthens their confidence but also prepares them to enter the workforce more effectively.
She noted that UTHM has been among the pioneers in implementing ADI and remains committed to advancing the national TVET agenda.
The university does this through its Work-Based Learning (WBL) programme, where students spend three years studying at the university to build theoretical and laboratory competencies before undergoing a year of intensive industrial training with participating companies.
The approach allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real workplace settings, enhancing their technical competencies, industry experience and employability upon graduation.
Unlike conventional industrial training, which is typically a supplementary component of academic programmes, WBL places industry at the centre of the learning experience, with participants undergoing training and learning directly in the workplace from the start of the programme.
“We see this process strengthened through exclusive mentorship from industry experts, where practical knowledge transfer occurs through the resolution of complex technical challenges.
“As a result, ADI produces graduates who are not only theoretically competent but also skilled in industrial technologies and agile enough to adapt to evolving industry demands,” she said.
— BERNAMA
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