Malaysia is set for a nationwide industrial transformation in 2025, driven by advancements in sustainability, digital innovation, and employee well-being. With strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, ongoing digital transformation, and its emergence as a supply chain innovator, the country is solidifying its position as a leader in Southeast Asia’s talent landscape. All of these issues and many more are explored in the Hays’ Top Talent Trends for 2025. 

Encompassing a wide array of industries throughout Malaysia, Hays’ Top Ten Talent Trends 2025 is essential reading for both employers and employees looking to lead the way in the coming year. An in-depth analysis from Hays’s recruitment experts, it uncovers the push and pull factors affecting Malaysia’s organisations and workforce, while highlighting their impact on company strategies, producing actionable recommendations, and identifying the essential skills for employees and jobseekers to thrive in 2025. 

“Following 2024’s implementation of strong ESG guidelines focusing on carbon emissions and providing green financing, Malaysia will forge ahead with its green agenda, meaning that a broad array of industries are integrating ESG standards into their practices,” explains Natasha Ishak, Regional Director at Hays Malaysia. “This is most apparent in the engineering sector, where the emerging market for ‘clean’ technology demands talent with experience in sustainable manufacturing practices, electric vehicle engineering, and renewable energy. Additionally, industries across the nation are seeking candidates with expertise in sustainable investment strategies, green technologies, ethical decision-making, and other renewable energy applications. 

“Concurrently, supported by government initiatives, Malaysia is embarking on a digital transformation journey,” Natasha adds. “With the expansion of data centres and the widespread adoption of AI-based tools, traditional workflows are being overhauled, making professionals capable of driving these changes essential. These advancements align with efforts to accelerate data science and AI integration, driving demand for skilled talent in the insurance and finance sectors. With these trends, and many others besides, 2025 is shaping up to be an active year in Malaysia’s talent market.” 

With extensive exploration into these and other key issues driving Malaysia’s jobs market, Hays’ Top Ten Talent Trends for 2025 is an indispensable resource for anyone preparing for the changes and challenges of the next 12 months.  

To view the top ten trends in full, please click here.