KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is witnessing growing demand for skilled professionals as companies expand their operations and investments in the country, according to Randstad Malaysia country director Fahad Naheem.
He said there is a rising need for talent with specialised skills, particularly in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital infrastructure.
"Digital integration is happening in corporate sectors, including legal, human resources, shared services, marketing, and accounting. With these developments, employers are raising their hiring expectations, particularly in digital literacy and commercial acumen," he said.
The latest insights from Randstad Malaysia's 2025 Job Market Outlook and Salary Trends Report revealed that 59 per cent of employers plan to expand their teams in 2025, while 31 per cent will focus on maintaining their current headcount.
It also stated that 41 per cent of employers expect the most hiring activity in technology, and 26 per cent of respondents plan to invest in hiring professionals for digital transformation and AI roles.
In addition to digital growth driving tech-related hiring, 36 per cent of employers anticipate hiring sales and business development professionals to drive revenue growth.
"We are also seeing traditional corporate functions like marketing and human resources taking on more commercial responsibilities, either to optimise resources or establish clearer revenue generation targets."
However, 56 per cent of employers cited a lack of skilled talent as their top hiring challenge.
Many organisations are also grappling with rising salary expectations amid tighter budgets.
In response, 52 per cent of companies in Malaysia plan to increase their hiring budgets in 2025, recognising that candidates with in-demand skills now have greater leverage during negotiations.
"As we look ahead to 2025, employers will likely face stiffer competition when hiring top talent in Malaysia. Many organisations are in growth mode and investing in recruitment and workforce development to boost productivity and drive higher revenue growth.
"With our access to a large pool of pre-screened professional talent and deep understanding of workforce trends, we're committed to helping employers find the right talent—one that values lifelong learning, agility, and adaptability,' added Naheem.