Malaysians positive about impact of automation on jobs

Despite the optimism, there are still concerns among Malaysian workers that automation is putting their jobs at risk.
By: | July 2, 2020
Topics: Asia-Pacific | Digital Transformation | HR Technology | Malaysia | News | Professional Development | Southeast Asia

Malaysians have expressed optimism about the impact of automation on jobs, but remain concerned about their job security.

According to PwC Malaysia’s ‘Digital resilience in a new world’ report, 70% of the 986 respondents believe that technology will change their current jobs in three to five years while 77% are excited or optimistic about the role technology can play in their jobs.

Among the reasons for optimism is that technology would allow them to do more interesting work (35%) and enable them to get more done (27%).

The report also revealed that respondents with higher education such as degree holders and those with professional certificates see automation presenting more opportunities than risks.

Despite the positive outlook on technology, 34% of the participants fear that automation is putting their jobs at risk.

Having said that, the majority or 93% of respondents are willing to accept the opportunity to use technology or improve their digital understanding if given the chance, while 53% of respondents said they are given some opportunities by their current employer to improve their digital skills outside their normal duties.

“Governments and businesses have been grappling with the issue of upskilling for some time now, as the pace of technology continues to confound, or are in some cases driving a further divide among those with opportunities and those with few opportunities to upskill,” PwC Malaysia markets leader Nurul A’in Abdul Latif said.

The report also showed 49% of respondents believe that the onus for upskilling rests with the individuals themselves, with 85% of the respondents saying they would learn new skills or completely retrain as a means to improve their future employability.

“Evidently, there is a strong appetite for learning among Malaysians as well as a keen awareness to upskill themselves as part of personal development,” Nurul A’in said.

“At such a time as this, organisations would do well to address their employees’ learning needs by investing in strategic upskilling programmes, and empowering their employees to take charge of their own learning through the use of self-learning tools,” she added.