Malaysia Aims To Achieve 35 Per Cent Skilled Workforce By 2030 - Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) --  Malaysia aims to achieve a 35 per cent skilled workforce and 3.6 per cent productivity growth by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s competitiveness, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said the target can be achieved through five main strategies, including strengthening industry-based training and increasing automation. “So to achieve the target of 35 per cent skilled workforce and 3.6 per cent annual productivity growth, the government must implement five strategies. We need to enhance industry-based training so that the experience is relevant. Industries must also invest in local trainees,” he added.

Tengku Zafrul said this when winding up the committee-stage debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He added that Malaysia needs to boost productivity by ensuring more companies shift toward automation, reducing dependence on low-skilled foreign workers, and training local workers to meet the technological needs of the industry.

He also emphasised that close cooperation between industry, MPC, TalentCorp, and TVET institutions is crucial to producing local talent that meets current needs, while ensuring Malaysia remains competitive in global supply chains.

-- BERNAMA