With 1.93 million tertiary-educated workers in roles below their qualification level, employment alone may no longer be an adequate measure of career progress.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – Malaysia’s labour market has remained resilient, with overall unemployment falling to 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026. However, the figures may conceal a deeper challenge faced by qualified workers who may be employed without meaningfully progressing in their careers. During the same period, 1.93 million tertiary-educated workers, or 35.2%, were employed in semi-skilled or low-skilled roles.

This points to a gap between employment and career progression, particularly whether the workers’ qualifications and experience are helping them move into more skilled, complex and higher-values roles.

“We need to shift the conversation from employability to career mobility. Being employed is not the same as progressing,” said Lim Bee Ing, Centre Director of The University of Manchester South East Asia Centre. “For experienced professionals in Malaysia, progression increasingly requires the ability to lead across functions, make strategic decisions and navigate change. Purposeful postgraduate education can help build those capabilities.”

Evidence across Manchester’s MBA programmes also points to rising cross-field mobility rather than individual employment factors like qualification alone. Its latest MBA employment report found that 59% of the 2024 class changed sector, while 27% changed country, industry and job function.

Experience alone does not guarantee progress

For working professionals, career mobility depends on more than time spent in a role. Both workplace experience and postgraduate education can support progression when they help build broader capabilities, prepare professionals for more complex work and lead to greater responsibility.

Experience builds capability when professionals encounter new problems, assume higher responsibilities and make increasingly complex decisions. Years spent performing largely the same scope of work, however, may not translate into equivalent professional growth.

Similarly, a Master’s can support progression when it is linked to a clear career transition, such as moving from a specialist to a managerial role, changing functions or industries, taking on regional responsibilities, or leading digital and organisational transformation. It is less likely to deliver meaningful results when pursued as a standalone credential or with the expectation of an automatic promotion or salary increase.

“For experienced professionals, the value of an MBA is not simply in acquiring more knowledge, but in seeing their experience through a broader business lens,” said Xavier Duran, Global MBA Programme Director at Alliance Manchester Business School. “That broader perspective can help prepare them for the next stage of their career, whether that means moving into leadership, changing function or industry, or even taking on greater international responsibility.”

Preparing professionals for changing employer needs

Employer expectations are also evolving. Communication, problem-solving and strategic thinking remain important, while organisations increasingly require professionals who can interpret data, understand technology and navigate the impact of artificial intelligence.

As these demands reshape the workplace, an individual can remain technically qualified and continuously employed while becoming less prepared for their next role.

Studying while working can help bridge this gap by allowing professionals to apply new concepts directly to live organisational challenges. It also enables them to examine their experience critically and connect their existing expertise with wider areas such as strategy, finance, people and technology.

The Manchester Global Part-time MBA follows this model through flexible learning, interactive workshops and practical business projects for experienced professionals. Their applicants enter with an average of 12 years of professional experience, including six years in management, underscoring that the programme is designed to build on established careers rather than replace workplace experience.

Postgraduate education is not for salary increase alone

Career progression should be looked at beyond just salary benchmarking. More meaningful indicators include movement into higher-skilled work, broader decision-making responsibility, access to regional or international opportunities and the ability to lead more complex projects.

Malaysia has made progress in helping graduates enter and remain in the workforce. The next priority should be to turn employment into sustained progression, ensuring that talent continues to develop and move into work that makes fuller use of its capabilities.

More information on the MA in Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) is available at www.manchester.com.my/ma-educational-leadership-in-practice/.

Hashtag: #UniversityofManchester

http://www.manchester.com.my/ma-educational-leadership-in-practice/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The University of Manchester & Alliance Manchester Business School

The University of Manchester is ranked 35th in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026, 5th in the UK research powerhouse in REF 2021 and 2nd in THE Impact ranking 2025. With as many as 26 Nobel Prize winners, the University’s academic pedigree is among the best globally.

Alliance Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester, is one of the UK’s leading business schools and holds triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS. The university has a global alumni network and more than 60,000 graduates across 176 countries.

Platform launches new “Personalised Targeting” feature this month, leveraging AI to improve hiring outcomes

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – Jobsdb by SEEK, Hong Kong’s leading employment marketplace, successfully hosted the third edition of its “HR Conference 2026” on 7 August at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. Under the theme “Empowering Talent and Technology Towards Tomorrow”, the event brought together nearly 500 human resources professionals to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace while enhancing the efficiency and quality of talent matching and recruitment.

Daryl Lau, Sales Director, Hong Kong, Jobsdb by SEEK, said: “AI and innovative technologies are reshaping recruitment and talent management at an unprecedented pace, and this year’s conference theme reflects the profound transformation currently taking place in Hong Kong’s workplace. According to our platform data, competition among job seekers in Hong Kong has continued to intensify in recent years, while talent mobility has remained high, driving up recruitment costs for employers. The core recruitment challenge facing enterprises today is how to quickly assess and identify the most suitable candidates from a vast pool of applications with limited resources. At the same time, growing demand for AI skills has made recruitment even more complex. Furthermore, our market insights show that job seekers’ expectations are no longer focused solely on salary and benefits. They are placing greater emphasis on purpose at work, growth opportunities and an inclusive workplace culture. Jobsdb is committed to connecting talent and technology, helping enterprises formulate more resilient talent strategies, seize opportunities in a rapidly changing market and match with the most suitable talent.”

Industry leaders explore how AI is redefining the role of HR

The conference featured multiple panel discussions offering in-depth perspectives on the future development of the HR profession. The first panel, titled “How AI Will Elevate and Redefine HR”, featured Edward Ng, Regional Human Resources Director, Vita Green Group; Fanny Lau, Director – Human Resources, New World Development & K11 Hong Kong; Jeff Tang, Partner, Market Development Leader, Consulting, Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited; and Tina Au-Yeung, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Emperor Group. The speakers shared an optimistic outlook on the industry’s future, highlighting how AI can optimize day-to-day workflows while noting that uniquely human soft skills – such as communication and collaboration – will become increasingly valuable. They encouraged HR professionals to harness AI tools alongside their professional judgement and experience to create irreplaceable impact and unlock broader career development opportunities.

Spotlight on the talent war in Asia and diverse recruitment strategies

Another key panel discussion, “The Talent War in Asia: Attracting and Retaining the Next Generation Workforce”, brought together Annie Wong, Assistant Director, Office of Co-operative Education Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Janet Law, Head of Sales (Hong Kong and Greater China), FDM Group; Jovi Yan, Group Learning Lead, AIA Group; and Nishilla McKeogh, Client Director – Early Careers & Campus APAC, AMS. The experts exchanged insights on key issues including expectations of young talent, cross-border hiring, employer value propositions and regional talent mobility trends, offering attendees practical recommendations for developing effective talent strategies.

The conference also featured wide-ranging discussions on a variety of forward-looking topics. Andrew Lee, Head of Corporate Solutions Strategy at AIA Hong Kong and Macau, shared total wellbeing strategies that go beyond traditional medical and group insurance; Stacy Liao, Head of People – Human Resources Department at China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, explored the role HR can play in an enterprise’s AI development journey; Anna Au, Deputy Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage, shared strategies for attracting global talent and supporting their long-term development by helping them integrate into the local community; Winnie Tam, Head of People and Culture at KOS International, elaborated on human-centric leadership in the age of AI; and Keith Chau, Senior Consultant at the School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, shared emerging AI trends and practical response strategies for HR leaders.

Jobsdb launches new AI features to transform how hirers discover and hire talent

With the goal of delivering better hiring outcomes, Jobsdb announced the launch of its new “Personalised Targeting” feature this August. The feature builds on its market-level intelligence to also learn from each employer’s unique hiring activity and role requirements, with targeting getting sharper with every hire. In addition, the platform introduces “Assist”, an always-on hiring partner that works alongside employers from vacancy to hire, conducting AI pre-screens and automating reference checks on their behalf so they can move with greater speed and confidence. Jobsdb also previewed the future development of agentic AI capabilities and applications to further enhance the overall recruitment experience.

As a leading employment marketplace in the Asia Pacific region, Jobsdb remains dedicated to combining its deep local market expertise with SEEK’s world-class AI technology, continuing to deliver better job and talent matches for the Hong Kong market, partnering with enterprises to embrace the new normal of recruitment.

The success of HR Conference 2026 was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and partners, including Gold Sponsor AIA; Strategic Partner KOS International; and Silver Sponsors Adecco, ASUS, Moka, Talent Axis, Co-Op@CUHK, The University of Manchester, United Technologies, Wai Yuen Tong, and Wallstone.

For more insights into talent strategies for 2026, please refer to Jobsdb by SEEK’s new “2026 Talent Blueprint”: https://hk.jobsdb.com/page/jobsdb-talent-blueprint-2026

Click here for high resolution images.

Hashtag: #Jobsdb #AI

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Jobsdb by SEEK

Jobsdb is a leading employment marketplace, connecting the right people with the right work in Hong Kong since 1998. Operated by SEEK, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company, Jobsdb combines its deep local expertise with SEEK’s world-class AI technology and platform to create relevant job and talent matches across Asia Pacific. For more information, visit www.jobsdb.com.

Droneport-1000 is a proposed test and evaluation facility designed to support the safe development of unmanned aircraft systems, Advanced Air Mobility and next generation drone technologies. The initiative will provide a platform for collaboration among government, academia and industry, with a focus on research, testing, talent development and the responsible commercialisation of unmanned aviation solutions.

The initiative supports the wider Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA), a flagship regional development programme spearheaded by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) under the Selangor State Government’s Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1) and continuing under Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS-2).

Droneport-1000 is expected to complement Sabak Bernam’s established strengths in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and environmental stewardship. Unmanned aviation technologies have potential applications in precision agriculture, crop monitoring, logistics, infrastructure inspection, emergency response and biodiversity conservation. These applications could help improve productivity, strengthen public services and create new economic opportunities for local communities.

YB Dr Mohammad Fahmi bin Ngah, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture, said, “Droneport-1000 reflects Selangor’s commitment to building the ecosystem required for the Low Altitude Economy. By bringing together technology, digital infrastructure and collaboration across government, academia and industry, we are creating a platform that supports innovation while preparing Malaysia for the future of unmanned aviation. “The State Government’s role is to ensure that the necessary infrastructure, ecosystem and talent are in place to support the responsible and sustainable long-term growth of the industry.”

Puan Zannifa Azura binti Ahmad, Head of the SABDA Economic Development Zone and Chief Executive Officer of SELATI, said, “Droneport-1000 has the potential to be a game changer for Sabak Bernam. Its applications can extend across agriculture, fisheries, logistics, tourism, conservation and public services, creating new opportunities for businesses and communities throughout the district. “This initiative demonstrates how technology and investment can work alongside food security, biodiversity conservation and community prosperity to build a more sustainable future for Sabak Bernam.”

SABDA is transforming one of Selangor’s most productive agricultural districts into an integrated economic corridor centred on resilience, food security, environmental stewardship and community led development.

Through 18 strategic initiatives, SABDA is creating opportunities in smart agriculture, fisheries, integrated logistics, ecotourism, agritourism, research and innovation. It is also strengthening the critical infrastructure required to attract investment and improve the quality of life of local communities.

Key catalytic projects include the 600-acre Sungai Lang Fisheries Industrial Zone, the Sekinchan Integrated Landing Port, Ban Canal Ecotourism and the proposed Anjung Utara Selangor Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Sabak Bernam already plays an important role in Selangor’s food security ecosystem. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the district has approximately 48,216 hectares of agricultural land and remains one of the state’s most important food producing regions. The district contributes significantly to paddy production, fisheries, fruit, vegetables and aquaculture. Agriculture also remains an important contributor to the local economy alongside manufacturing and services.

Recent indicators demonstrate the district’s growing momentum. Tourist arrivals increased by 74 per cent between 2024 and 2025, while marine fisheries landings grew by more than 42 per cent. Household incomes have also continued to rise.

The award-winning Ban Canal Carnival has further strengthened Sabak Bernam’s profile as an emerging ecotourism destination. The event attracts visitors while promoting local culture, cottage industries and community entrepreneurship.

Another defining aspiration of SABDA is the proposed Anjung Utara Selangor Biosphere Reserve. Covering approximately 297,661 hectares across Sabak Bernam and parts of Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor, the proposed reserve reflects Selangor’s commitment to balancing biodiversity conservation with sustainable economic development. Its nomination dossier is targeted for submission to UNESCO by the end of September 2026.

Together, Droneport-1000 and SABDA demonstrate how advanced technology can support sustainable regional development. The initiative aims to attract investment, strengthen food security, protect natural assets and create meaningful opportunities for the people of Sabak Bernam.
Hashtag: #SELATI #UNISEL #SABDA #MBISelangor

https://sabda.com.my/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Sabak Bernam Development Area

Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor)

Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor) is the strategic investment arm of the State Government of Selangor, mandated to drive sustainable economic growth and long-term value creation for the state.

For more information, visit: https://www.mbiselangor.com