42 Malaysia and MyDIGITAL work to bridge tech talent gap

• 12, 000 security ability to reach 25, 000 employees by the end of next year
• entry of Penang and Johor colleges this year, with the potential for Sabah and Sarawak.

42 Malaysia ( 42MY) and MyDIGITAL Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) to address Malaysia’s tech talent shortage. The collaboration aims to develop modern skills, focusing on cloud technology, security, and artificial intelligence. This partnership is in line with Malaysia’s commitment to complete 12, 000 security positions and make 500, 000 new digital sector jobs by 2025, underscoring the need for effective technical knowledge and workforce development strategies.

42MY is part of the global Ecole 42 system, a French-founded programming class. This nation-building effort, supported by Sunway Education Group, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, and Dana Impak, offers free system scientific knowledge to individuals over 18, regardless of background or before skillS. It operates without groups, teachers, or education costs.

The first  Malaysian campus, 42 Kuala Lumpur ( 42KL), which was founded in 2020, is housed in the FutureX building in Sunway City and is run by Sunway Education Group, Sunway iLabs, and Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC ), according to a partnership between the two organizations.

Jeff Sandhu, Chief Operating Officer of 42MY, explained their unique strategy:” In less than 18 months, we can cultivate someone into an industry-ready expertise with no previous qualifications, never yet SPM”. The school aims to produce 10, 000 industry-ready alumni by 2033. Now, 150 graduates have been placed in the industry, with each college expected to produce 200 business graduates periodically at full potential.

The software industry needs to develop quickly, according to Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital Malaysia. At a press conference following the signing of the MoU at Sunway FutureX, he stated,” We have to create new components that are fast, easy to understand, and scalable so that folks can train and reskill themselves in a matter of times.”

The secretary also emphasized the immediate need for the development of digital talent. ” Digital ability is important in an age where AI is projected to affect about 40 % of jobs worldwide”, he elaborated. ” For instance, in the security field, Malaysia needs to meet at least 25, 000 employees by the end of next year. Now, there are 13, 000 staff in the field, leaving us with a lack of 12, 000 staff”.

Gobind emphasized the value of upgrading and upgrading personnel while they are employed. He emphasized the need for businesses to incorporate mentoring initiatives to ensure that their employees are prepared to transition into novel roles as traditional jobs change.

With that in mind, the government is planning to introduce tax exemptions in Budget 2025 to encourage small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) and micro-medium enterprises ( MSMEs ) to adopt AI and other technologies. By the beginning of the month, the secretary anticipates more detailed implementation information to be made public.

” With nearly 97 % of the nation’s businesses being SMEs, it ultimately comes down to how fast we can get everyone on board”, Gobind said. ” If we can get them to embrace technology and Iot options, you will see huge growth in the country’s digital market”.

To solve these problems, the MoU between 42MY and MyDIGITAL aims to develop Malaysia’s online skills environment, especially in cloud computing, security, and AI. In light of the government’s desire to develop new tools to rapidly develop talent, classic three-year degree programs are no longer enough in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Following the launch of the first school, 42KL, 42MY is set to open new schools in Penang and Iskandar Puteri, Johor, with ideas for potential schools in Sabah and Sarawak. The Penang school is scheduled to open in period for this year’s SPM students, giving those who may not do well in traditional scientists options.

Ellina Roslan, Senior Director of MyDIGITAL Corporation, outlined possible areas of collaboration, including” mutual research and development, cross-border skills exchange programs, creative seminars, public-private partnerships, and the presence of 42 Malaysia in MyDIGITAL’s Executive Digital Leadership Program”.