ENGLISH, communication and problem-solving abilities are among the top 15 skills employers look out for in jobseekers, according to a top labour market government agency.

These skills are sought in addition to professional qualifications, said Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), and they can tip the scales among applicants.

Besides the most sought-after skills, TalentCorp said software developers, graphic designers and data analysts are among the top jobs in which there is a critical shortage.

Also in demand but in short supply are welders, early childhood educators, chemists and mechanical engineers, according to TalentCorp’s latest critical occupations list (COL).

Real-time labour market information collected by the COL shows that the type of skills required by employers are related to communication, collaboration and problem-solving, the agency said.

“These skills were shortlisted from online job posting data provided by employers, whose input forms an integral part of the COL,” TalentCorp told The Malaysian Insight recently.

“This list was distilled from employer-provided data encompassing more than 8,000 skills overall.”

A good command of English came out tops, with 32% of all job posts stating that it is a required skill, followed by communication (31%), Chinese (27%), sales ability (15%) and teamwork (15%).

Planning and the ability to use Microsoft Office were required by 13% of all postings, followed by Microsoft Excel (11%) and accounting (10%), while problem-solving and customer service were both 9%.

The ability to budget and computer literacy were required in 8% of all job postings, followed by creativity and the ability to build effective relationships (both 7%).

Beyond the top 15, other skills are the ability to meet sales goals, organisational, troubleshooting, multitasking and administrative support.

The COL has been published every year since 2015 and is prepared by the critical skills monitoring committee (CSC).

TalentCorp and the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis (ILMIA) are part of the CSC, which assesses labour trends and tracks skills imbalances between employers, workers, school leavers and graduates.

COL is a guide to coordinate human capital development policies in tertiary education institutions, schools, and technical and vocational institutes, TalentCorp said.

Former human resources minister M. Kula Segaran said COL has been distributed in schools to aid teenagers and parents choose in-demand career paths.

It is also beneficial to students, parents and educators wary of professions with less promise due to the Industrial Revolution 4.0’s technological advancements.

COL shows evidence-based occupations that are significantly in demand and facing shortages in the labour market, and are skilled, sought-after and strategic.

“COL is used as a source of information by many stakeholders in Malaysia, including policymakers, training institutions, institutes of higher learning (IHL), jobseekers and students,” TalentCorp said.

“For example, the COL helps IHLs develop courses of study aligned with industry demand.” – March 9, 2020.