Talent Corp to work with more firms to attract high-quality talent

July 19, 2012

GEORGE TOWN, July 19 — Talent Corp Malaysia Bhd will work with more firms to attract and retain high-quality talent in the country.

Its chief executive officer, Johan Mahmood Merican (picture), said for Malaysia to emerge as a global talent destination by 2020, it was critical to ensure that the public and private sectors work together to address the talent requirements of the country. 

“We have worked with some of the companies who are present today ... we have programmes like outreach abroad and upskilling young graduates. 

“We hope to do more, undertake more activities and work with more firms,” he told Bernama at the JobStreet.com’s Human Resource Networking Event 2012 here today.

Also present was JobStreet.com country manager Chook Yuh Yng.

Johan said the JobStreet.com event would enable Talent Corp to engage with companies and recruiters to understand some of the talent management issues.

He said it was good that the event was held here because Penang was a major destination for top talent and it also has strong sectors — electronics, information and communication technology and healthcare.  

Johan said Talent Corp was now working closely with JobStreet.com in undertaking more programmes for university students, graduates and women.

“We are working closely with Jobstreet on two major initiatives. The first is the internship programme to encourage young graduates to get good internship. This collaboration includes the Higher Education Ministry,” he said.

He said another initiative with Jobstreet.com, and also in collaboration with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, was a portal to woo women to go back to work, which would be launched in September.

Meanwhile, Chook said over 20,000 jobs were available on JobStreet.com’s job site daily and in Penang alone over 2,500 jobs were available daily.

She said in a tight talent market, employers faced challenges in hiring and retaining the right talent in their organisation, hence new ideas for talent management were important. 

“In the northern region, the top industries facing the talent crunch include production manufacturing, electric and electronics manufacturing, wholesale and retail, construction and property and hospitality,” she said. — Bernama