PETALING JAYA: MyNext, an initiative by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), has expanded from a tool for students to a comprehensive talent solutions platform addressing Malaysia’s talent needs.

MyNext aims to connect students and professionals with industry partners, mentors and training providers. Users can understand their strengths and career preferences through the platform and access customised training programmes.

“There has been a significant evolution in MyNext since its inception in 2017, transitioning from addressing students’ misalignment of studies and personal strengths to ensuring these misalignments are looked at through comprehensive assessments and training programmes.

“This effort is part of TalentCorp’s initiative to address underemployment in Malaysia’s labour market, which is a growing concern today,” said TalentCorp’s Group chief strategy officer Nazrul Aziz.

“Providing young talents – especially those still in school – access to MyNext can be a strategic tool that facilitates informed career choices,” he added.

Nazrul described, for example, how an engineering student with an entrepreneurial inclination might be guided toward a career in technical sales instead of traditional engineering roles.

“This personalised approach ensures that individuals can leverage their education in ways that align with their strengths and interests,” he explained.

To ensure a strong value proposition for the MyNext platform, TalentCorp has integrated its signature internship facilitation initiatives.

The National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP), in operation since 2012, offers incentives to companies. One such incentive is the eligibility for a double tax deduction for related expenses incurred by their interns, such as providing allowances.

In March, the agency announced the Internship Placement Matching Grant (LiKES), launched by the Minister of Human Resources (Kesuma) Steven Sim.

With an allocation of RM30mil over three years, LiKES aims to provide financial support to SMEs and start-ups in Malaysia, encouraging them to nurture local talent through meaningful internship programmes for students.

MySIP and LiKES fall under the ministry’s overarching Kesuma’s Practical Training Incentives.

This ecosystem of internship incentives helps ensure quality internships, structured professional development and fairness for students unable to undergo their internships in the cities.

It connects students and higher learning institutions with partner companies that offer internships nationwide, aiming to improve the availability and quality of these opportunities.

These efforts are part of the upcoming National Internship Policy under the ministry, in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry and related stakeholders.

TalentCorp’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry needs is evident through initiatives like “Walk with Me”, a mentorship programme that pairs students with mid-level professionals for early industry exposure and networking opportunities.

The agency also enriches the MyNext platform with its other initiatives, such as the annually published Critical Occupations List (MyCOL), which identifies critical jobs in various sectors based on employer feedback.

Regular engagement with the industry further enhances MyNext offerings, ensuring alignment with industry needs in a rapidly evolving work landscape.

Nazrul shared plans for MyNext, including expanding the initiative to benefit more talent groups, such as women returning to work through the Career Comeback Programme.

“We already have armed forces retirees on MyNext as part of our Veteran MyWIRA initiative.

We collaborate with Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation under the Defence Ministry to support army veterans who have at least two decades of productive work years ahead upon retirement, and MyNext is the first tool to assist them in their journey,” he said.

Looking ahead, the MyNext platform will be streamlined with the public portal for future skills framework covering 10 sectors by the end of the year, as announced by Kesuma.

The interactive portal will include job and skills assessments, connecting users to skills, courses and job matching services.

Nazrul said the portal will allow companies, employees, students and policymakers to reference future skills frameworks with periodic updates.

These guides on workforce development will outline job roles and specific skills that will be in demand over the next three years.

“By keeping up with the latest demands of the workforce, TalentCorp is committed to making a lasting impact on Malaysia’s talent landscape, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic workforce to support Malaysia’s economic growth,” he added.

For more information on MyNext, visit www.mynext.my.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/24/how-to-meet-workforce-challenges