KUALA LUMPUR: Four ministers shared the same stage to provide their views on the policies and roles of their respective ministries towards creating a competitive and innovative economy, using an integrated approach to talent and workforce development.
They were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir; Human Resources Minister Steven Sim as well as Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
They shared their views through a panel discussion entitled Ministers Pioneering Excellence: Creating A Talent-Driven Economy - Government Policies and Practices organised by Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
The programme on Thursday at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) was also held in conjunction with the National Training Week 2024 which was held across the country from June 24 to 30.
About 500 people attended the panel discussion where the four ministers shared their insights, perspectives and policy actions to support the nation's talent and economic development aspirations.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of inclusive policies in empowering women and shaping the future workforce besides providing a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate policies in trade, education, and talent management.
In the discussion, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the 'Strategic Integration of Trade, Talent Management and Industry Policy; Economic Growth through Human Capital Development.
He discussed how the government can strategically align trade policy, talent management initiatives, and industry development strategies to optimise human capital and drive sustainable economic development.
Zafrul said this explores the impact of trade agreements on talent mobility, leverages foreign investment to improve talent development, and fosters collaboration between industry and educational institutions to ensure workforce readiness.
Zambry, in his speech "Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce: Higher Education Policies and Talent Management Strategies for the Future of Jobs " delved into the cooperation of the government and higher education institutions in anticipating and preparing to fulfill labor demand.
He said his ministry is exploring innovative approaches to curriculum development, lifelong learning initiatives and skills training programmes to equip citizens with the competencies required by new industries and jobs.
Nancy in her speech on "Empowering Women: Driving Economic Growth Through Inclusive Talent Management Policies" highlighted the important role of women in talent management and national economic development.
She also emphasised the strategy to integrate gender in the inclusive policy through the inclusion of policies into trade, talent management, and education frameworks.
Nancy also raised the presence of women in government roles and participation in the field of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (STEM).
Sim, through his speech on "Unlocking Economic Potential: Integrating Human Resource Development With Trade And Education Policies" discussed how the Human Resources Ministry's policies and initiatives contributed to the attraction, development and retention of talent towards driving economic growth.
This includes a strategy to align trade policy with workforce needs through educational institutions to cultivate relevant skills and the implementation of skilled professional talent management programs.
According to Sim, such an adjustment enables the government to explore collaboration between government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions in fostering a dynamic and competitive workforce, thus being able to drive a sustainable economy.
The programme was moderated by Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar and attended by the country's leading industry figures.