KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): More Malaysians need to be aware that the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and the green economy will make some jobs irrelevant in the near future, according to a consultant from Ernst & Young (EY) Malaysia.
If not addressed properly, EY Malaysia consulting managing partner Chow Sang Hoe said the Malaysian workforce risks being left far behind in the evolving global economic landscape.
He said this in conjunction with the upcoming release of the future skills frameworks by the Ministry of Human Resources: a report to prepare Malaysia's workforce for the future needs of the industry.
"The study is done. We got the data. But now we need to get Malaysians [to buy in] and not be complacent," Chow told The Edge in an interview. "I'm not trying to make people panic, but we need to increase the awareness that it's time to do something."
The Ministry of Human Resources, in collaboration with Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), had in September completed a six-month study on 10 strategic sectors to examine how they will be transformed by AI, digitalisation and sustainability efforts. The full report of the study will be launched in November.
The 10 sectors involved in the study are information and communication technology (ICT), food manufacturing and services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, aerospace, electrical and electronics, wholesale and retail trade, chemicals, medical devices, energy and power, and global business services.
Chow said the purpose of the study is to help the Malaysian workforce to transition into a new world where AI can both displace jobs and also create new ones.
"So the question is how do we move Malaysians who are in those areas where jobs are not so relevant, and move them to the jobs that are needed.
"I think this study by the government is very good because we are addressing it head on," he added.
Following the study, Chow called for more partnerships between the private sector and the government to identify skills gaps and inform strategies for future workforce planning.
"Government can help with policies, but you need the industry because the industry knows how a particular trend will affect the jobs. So you need both to work," he said.