Hiring intentions in Malaysia have strengthened in response to these shortages. 45 per cent of hiring managers expect to increase headcount this year, up from 42 per cent in 2025. 

Human skills increasingly in demand 

Demand for human and transferable skills remains strong. The most sought‑after skills in Malaysia were: 

• Ability to learn and upskill (41 per cent)
• Communication and interpersonal skills (36 per cent)
• Ability to adopt change (35 per cent) 

These skills remain critical as professionals are required to operate effectively across teams and adapt to changing business conditions. 

Competition and pay cited as primary drivers 

At the same time, the emphasis on these in‑demand skills is intensifying competition for a relatively limited pool of experienced talent. When asked about the main causes of skill shortages, employers in Malaysia pointed to external market factors: 

• Competition from other employers (51 per cent)
• Pay levels (42 per cent)
• Lack of progression opportunities (31 per cent) 

With many organisations targeting the same limited talent pools, competition has intensified, particularly for experienced professionals with in‑demand skills. 

AI adoption outpacing organisational support 

While the use of AI is already widespread among professionals in Malaysia, organisational support has yet to keep pace. The research found that: 

• 75 per cent of professionals already use AI technologies at work
• Only 37 per cent of organisations currently offer training or support to help employees adapt to these technologies 

Despite this gap, professionals are proactive about staying relevant. An overwhelming 95 per cent said they are willing to take part in upskilling programmes to better adopt AI in the workplace. 

Tom Osborne, Managing Director of Hays Southeast Asia 

“Skill shortages in Malaysia remain most evident at the mid‑level, where organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to secure experienced professionals with the right mix of technical capability and soft skills. This has contributed to stronger hiring intentions this year, as employers look to address gaps in critical roles.” 

“At the same time, demand continues to centre on human and transferable skills such as communication, adaptability and the ability to learn. These capabilities are becoming essential as professionals are expected to collaborate more closely across teams and operate effectively in changing business conditions.” 

“While AI adoption among professionals is already widespread, the relatively low level of formal training and support highlights how skills requirements and everyday work practices are evolving faster than organisational structures in parts of the talent market.” 

-Ends- 

Contact 

Christy Lee, Marketing Executive, Southeast Asia, Hays  
T: +603 5870 4987
E: christy.lee@hays.com.my 

About Hays 

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 31 December 2025, the Group employed over 9,100 staff operating from 198 offices in 30 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2025: 

• the Group reported net fees of £453.3 million and operating profit of £20.1 million.
• the Group placed around 21,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 53,000 people into temporary roles. 
• 12% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW).
• the temporary placement business represented 64% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 36% of net fees.
• Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%), Construction & Property (12%), and Engineering (10%) are the next largest.
• Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK, and the USA.