Beyond the Degree, Building an Industry-Ready Workforce

Posted on August 15, 2025

(Note: This is a 3 min read)

In a rapidly evolving global economy, the demand for skilled, adaptable talent is at an all-time high. Yet, many businesses grapple with skill gaps, and many individuals seek pathways to meaningful employment and career advancement.

The world of work is constantly shifting beneath our feet. Gone are the days when a single skill set guaranteed a lifelong career. Today, the ability to adapt, learn new things and embrace flexible work models is more important than ever. This evolution is particularly evident in Malaysia, where both businesses and individuals are navigating a dynamic employment landscape.

Figure 1 : Job Trends between 2019 and 2022

One of the big conversations right now revolves around skill gaps. It’s a bit like a puzzle where some pieces are missing. Businesses need specific expertise but the available talent sometimes lacks those precise skills. Adding to this challenge, Figure 1 shows a study by International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, analyzing job trends between 2019 and 2022 revealed that most job creation and availability was concentrated in semi-skilled and low-skilled occupations. For instance, in the fourth quarter of those years, over 60% of available jobs were in semi-skilled roles (e.g., 62.4% in 2019 and 62.3% in 2022). This structural imbalance means the demand for high-skilled jobs is falling short of the supply of graduates with tertiary education, forcing many to accept roles that don’t fully utilize their qualifications just to avoid unemployment. For instance, as reported by Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA),Malaysia has a good graduate employability rate at around 87.5%, a significant portion (35%) of graduates end up working in jobs unrelated to their field of study, highlighting a mismatch between what’s taught and what the market truly needs. This isn’t just about technical skills; a 2024 survey reported by e27 suggests that 91.91% of employers would prioritize a good attitude over academic certificates.

On the flip side, many talented individuals are eager to work and grow, but they might not know where to get the right training or how to connect with the right job opportunities. Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) also reported that while 26% of Malaysia’s workforce is involved in gig work, concerns around job security, social protection, and career progression in this sector remain.

So, how do we bridge these gaps? It’s about more than just traditional job matching. It requires an active approach to nurturing talent, ensuring that individuals are equipped with relevant skills, and then seamlessly connecting them with businesses that genuinely need those capabilities. This dual focus is becoming increasingly crucial for a robust and resilient economy.

Many businesses are looking for ways to scale their teams efficiently without the heavy overheads associated with permanent hires, especially for project-based work or seasonal demands. Meanwhile, individuals are seeking pathways that lead to meaningful work, offering both development and stability in a world where career paths are less linear.

In this evolving environment, Qwork Manpower Hub has developed a distinctive model that goes beyond simple recruitment. It focuses on actively training and developing individuals with market-relevant skills, and then strategically placing them with businesses that need their expertise. Qwork aims to ensure that individuals are not just placed in jobs, but placed in roles where their skills are truly utilized and can grow. This integrated approach helps address the skills mismatch that affects many job seekers and provides businesses with a flexible, pre-trained workforce.

This holistic approach, which prioritizes skill development alongside placement, is proving to be incredibly valuable in Malaysia’s current economic climate. By addressing the root causes of skill gaps and employment barriers, companies like Qwork are contributing to a more adaptable and prosperous workforce for the nation.

As Malaysia continues to navigate the complexities of a globalized and digitally transforming economy, the role of entities like Qwork becomes increasingly vital. By proactively developing relevant skills and efficiently connecting trained individuals with deserving opportunities, Qwork is playing a significant part in shaping a more resilient, adaptable, and productive workforce for the nation.

Want to be part of Qwork’s mission to shape the future of Malaysia’s workforce and empower individuals? Keep a lookout for Qwork’s upcoming campaign on Ata Plus and join them on their journey to make a meaningful impact.