In Malaysia, 97% of respondents have shown interest in learning and development opportunities. By extension of upskilling through training, more than 4 in 5 respondents regard training as an integral part of their career progression as they recognise it as an important step towards attaining higher job satisfaction.
However, only 36% of all respondents said that they received training and development from their employees.
Randstad - the world’s leading human resources solution agency - released the results of their H2 2022 Workmonitor survey in Malaysia. The bi-annual survey highlights the workforce’s latest sentiments and perceptions of the local job market.
With skills shortage being a pertinent issue in Malaysia, employees are aware of the importance of upskilling as part of their career development journeys. Training programmes are critical in empowering employees to work more effectively and think critically, which would help them achieve career progression within the organisation.
Despite the enthusiasm among the masses, there is still a general hesitation when it comes to upskilling due to the overwhelming workload as well as a lack of mental capacity to attend training courses. This is when the employer should step in to offer support to their employees’ career development.
Employees who have the opportunities for learning and to develop themselves professionally, have more fulfilling and enjoyable work experiences. Companies also get to develop and increase the digital literacy of their workforce to be more skillful to gain a competitive edge in the business world.
malaysian respondents want to upskill
When asked what they would want to receive training for, 61% of respondents said technical skills, 60% want to develop their soft skills and 54% are keen on developing in their current role.
In the era of digital transformation, companies need to invest in development programmes for a future-ready and agile workforce to close the digital gap. Having the opportunity to learn and apply new frameworks and methodologies into practice at work, will allow employees to become more efficient at their jobs and communicate with one another more effectively.
malaysian workers are keen on seeking help with regards to career advancement and how to achieve better work life balance
Besides wanting to become better in their jobs, the survey indicated that 96% of respondents are keen on reaching out to career coaches for helpful advice and guidance.
malaysians want career coaching and counselling
Career coaching can be very meaningful to employees who are looking for answers to their unique challenges as they get to seek guidance on how they should deal with an overwhelming workload or a difficult work situation with a colleague. It helps to drive employee engagements and retention by helping them better weather changes.
Career coaches can also guide employees to take steps to improve their work-life balance or to attain the next step in their careers. With the changing employment landscape, finding a better balance between work and personal life is important for both job seekers and employees as they prioritise it when making their career choices.
By offering career coaching to employees, it helps create a more holistic work environment for them to grow and develop in, which would result in a more positive employee experience and an engaged workforce.
Companies will hence also be in a much better position to attract more talent who seek career growth and such opportunities for learning to work for them.
Randstad RiseSmart is a leading specialist in work-life coaching and career transitions. The company’s coaching-centric approach is designed to support individuals throughout all stages of their employment, and to support businesses in onboarding, developing, mobilising, engaging, retaining, and transitioning employees to have the best possible work-life experience in alignment with business needs.
download the 2022 workmonitor report
gain deeper insights into the malaysia workforce
The latest 2022 Randstad Workmonitor study was conducted between 21 February 2022 and 13 March 2022 with 750 locally based respondents who are employed and aged between 18 and 67 years old in Malaysia.
The Randstad Workmonitor survey is conducted twice a year to discover the changes in candidates’ expectations and challenges to help organisations like yours develop a talent attraction and an effective employee engagement strategy that works.
Besides conducting regular surveys to study workforce trends, our recruitment consultants also conduct market research to help employers keep up with workforce trends and strengthen their employer brand.
Connect with us for specialised talent recruitment services or to strengthen your employer brand. Alternatively, if you aspire for a rewarding career, reach out to our recruitment consultant, apply for a job and build your career pathway with us.