THE Penang government today launched a platform called the ‘Talent Focus Group’ (TFG) to further strengthen the talent pipeline in the state, with a single aim of advancing the state’s ongoing efforts toward a future-ready workforce.
TFG, a collaborative platform between the Penang government and the private sector, will see industry experts, namely human resources (HR) practitioners, advocating and advising the state government on talent-related strategies
Spearheaded by InvestPenang, TFG, viewed as a crucial step towards achieving and addressing the long-prolonged talent issue in Penang, will see the agency oversee the planning and implementation of initiatives, facilitating stakeholder engagement and supporting the execution of talent-related strategies aligned with Penang’s economic and workforce development priorities.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officially launched the platform at the St Giles Wembley Hotel earlier this morning, commended InvestPenang, as well as making a special mention of the industry players who have committed to providing their time and expertise to this special platform for the betterment of a resilient workforce in Penang.
“The Talent Focus Group is about creating a stronger and more coordinated approach towards developing, attracting, and retaining talent for Penang’s future.
“By investing in our people, strengthening collaboration, and embracing new technologies responsibly, we can ensure that Penang remains competitive, resilient, and future-ready,” Chow said in his speech after launching the programme earlier, which was held concurrently with the Penang Career Discovery Day 2026 in conjunction with the Penang HR Forward Forum 2026.
Some 500 students, graduates, young professionals, returnees, HR practitioners, industry leaders, and academics gathered at the event today to explore career opportunities, emerging technologies and the evolving future of work in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Featuring over 30 career and AI showcases, the event brought together talent, industry, academia, and policymakers on a single platform to discuss how AI is transforming workplaces and the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Penang HR Forward Forum, meanwhile, brought together HR practitioners and industry leaders to discuss talent development, workforce transformation, and the impact of AI on the workplace.
In a related development, Chow reiterated that Penang recorded RM32.9 billion in approved investments in 2025, ranked 4th among Malaysia’s leading investment destinations. Of this amount, RM22.4 billion came from the manufacturing sector, while RM10.5 billion originated from the services sector.
This achievement, the chief minister emphasised, was a testament to Penang’s openness to welcoming investments and the importance of having the right talent, based on their expertise, to get the job done.
“Ultimately, one of the critical factors in the success of every investment project is talent. As industries become more technology-driven and increasingly shaped by AI, the demand for skilled, adaptable, and future-ready talent has never been greater.
“That is why the state government remains committed to strengthening STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, expanding TVET (technical and vocational education and training) pathways, enhancing industry-academia-government collaboration, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities to ensure our workforce remains relevant and future-ready in this ever-changing environment,” Chow added.
Speaking to news reporters after the launch, Motorola Solutions Malaysia country HR lead Mohamed Anwar Rahaman Saar said the main challenge was not the availability of talent, but finding candidates with the specific skills required by industry.
“Talent availability is strong in Penang and Malaysia generally, but getting the right talent remains a challenge. This initiative can help bridge that gap,” he said.
When asked what was meant by the ‘right talent’, Chow clarified that it was about matching graduates with industry needs rather than intelligence.
“They are all graduates, so it is not a question of intelligence. Some industries simply require specific skills,” he said.
Chow added that programmes offered by the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) and other initiatives were helping fresh graduates upskill and reskill, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI).
“With AI, you require AI skills. That is the gap we are talking about, not the general ability of graduates,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loo said the newly formed talent focus group would work closely with universities to ensure graduates are equipped with skills that meet industry requirements.
“The group will have continuous dialogue with universities to help them understand industry requirements and the skills employers are looking for,” she said.
Loo added that the focus group would also look at ways to attract and retain talent in Penang, including improving affordability and liveability for young professionals.
Chow also noted that companies are increasingly focusing on workplace culture and quality of life to attract talent and investors.
“Factories are creating better working environments with recreational facilities and lifestyle amenities. These factors are equally important, alongside education facilities such as international schools for expatriate families,” he said.
Earlier, Chow, accompanied by Loo and other key industry players, was taken on a tour of the booths that were set up as part of the Penang Career Discovery Day programme.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis,