The
importance of having a skilled workforce cannot be emphasized enough. With
continuous upgrading of their skills, employees can compete for better job
opportunities, especially Industry 4.0 in the corner, while they can also command higher wages.
When countries
like Switzerland have almost 50% skilled manpower, then Malaysia, with only
28%, needs to deal with this issue fast. This can be addressed through increased
investment in education, something that the government has committed itself to
and has allocated RM50 million in human resources development programs. Their
aim is to achieve a 45% skilled workforce by 2030.
However, it
is not just enough that the government has committed to this. Employers and the
workforce within industries also need to share in this vision in order to
ensure that the goal is achieved.
The key
players each have to offer something from their perspective. The government,
through the relevant departments, needs to provide the infrastructure and the
financial resources. Employers and other key industry players need to make sure
that they provide learning strategies and also seek to employ forward-thinking
people with vision.
By equipping employees with critical thinking skills,
employers are teaching them to be flexible and ready for the demands of the
future. These critical skills will help the workforce to be the new managers
and leaders in the years to come.
By
developing the skills of the workforce, companies will not struggle to find the
skills required as older people reach retirement age. They will have a solid,
knowledgeable, highly trained workforce to tap into to fill these gaps.
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