69% of Malaysian employers struggle to find AI-ready graduates, study finds

A study by Pearson and Amazon Web Services found that 69% of Malaysian employers find it hard to hire graduates with the right skills as AI spreads in the workplace. According to the New Straits Times, the report, launched in Kuala Lumpur, also found 77% of Malaysian learners believe they are ready for work, while 70% say university prepares them well.

Key points

• 45% of employers cite graduates' lack of practical experience or inability to apply their skills.
• 51% of employers value combining human judgment with AI capabilities, while 47% of educators prioritise the ability to use AI tools.
• 52% of learners and 53% of employers favour a model giving equal weight to university education and work experience.
• The Malaysian sample was 402 respondents: 300 learners, 51 educators and 51 employers.

Why it matters for Malaysia

The gap suggests universities and employers are measuring readiness differently, which matters as Malaysia pursues its AI Nation 2030 goal. The small employer sample means the percentages should be read as indicative.

Questions answered

How many Malaysian employers struggle to hire AI-ready graduates?

A Pearson and AWS study found that 69% of Malaysian employers find it hard to hire graduates with the right skills as AI spreads in the workplace. The Malaysian sample included 51 employers.

What do Malaysian employers want from graduates in the AI era?

According to the study, 51% prioritise communication and collaboration, an equal 51% value combining human judgment with AI capabilities, and 41% consider adaptability important.