Rising living costs, climate pressures, and shifting industry demands are reshaping Malaysia’s labour market. Increasingly, jobs require green skills – ranging from energy efficiency to carbon management.

The recently tabled 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) make it clear: green growth is no longer optional, it is essential.

This issue takes on added urgency as Malaysia hosts the ASEAN Green Skills Fair 2025 (from Aug 28-30 in Putrajaya), where policymakers, industries, and young people from across the region are coming together to chart pathways for employability in the green economy.

The central question is clear: Are our graduates truly prepared for these new opportunities, and do they feel employable in a rapidly changing economy?

Public universities: Broad foundations and policy alignment

Malaysia’s public universities have long played a central role in advancing the nation’s sustainability agenda. Institutions such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia offer broad-based curricula that integrate science, engineering, and policy.

Some are also innovating in specialised areas. For example, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has launched IoT-driven agriculture projects, demonstrating how public institutions contribute directly to national priorities. These programmes build a strong foundation that is widely recognised by government-linked companies and the public sector.

At the same time, graduates often note that their studies remain more academically structured, with fewer opportunities for real-world industry exposure.

Private universities: Niche and industry-linked

Private universities complement this national role by offering agility and niche specialisations.

Monash University Malaysia offers a Master in Green Chemistry, Sunway University provides micro-credentials in sustainability, and Nottingham Malaysia embeds renewable energy modules into its programmes.

Some institutions also create industry-focused professional pathways.

For instance, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), through its Master in Energy Management (MENM), illustrates how targeted programmes can support Malaysia’s NETR and comply with the newly enacted Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024, which mandates certified energy managers and regular energy audits across industries.

Together, these efforts show how private universities supply specialised, globally benchmarked skills that enhance the broad foundations laid by public institutions.

The employability gap

Despite progress, a significant green skills gap persists.

A 2024 TalentCorp study revealed that nearly one in five new jobs in Malaysia are linked to the green economy, yet many employers report difficulties finding candidates with applied skills in areas such as carbon accounting, sustainability reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

This divide is also reflected in graduate perceptions:

• Public university graduates often feel academically “qualified” but less industry-ready.
• Private university graduates tend to feel more job-ready but remain concerned about recognition and affordability.

Bridging this requires stronger industry – academia collaboration, more structured internships, and project-based learning to connect classroom theory with workplace practice.

Youth at the forefront

The urgency is greatest for Malaysia’s young people. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) warns that by 2030, sixty per cent of young people worldwide may lack the skills required for the green economy.

This is why platforms like the ASEAN Green Skills Fair 2025 are crucial – not merely as exhibitions, but as opportunities for young people to engage directly with employers, policymakers, and educators.

Still, their long-term impact will depend on whether such initiatives are reinforced by curriculum reform, mentoring, and stronger partnerships between universities and industry.

Conclusion: From policy to practice

Malaysia has laid out clear policy directions through the 13MP and the NETR. The real challenge now lies in implementation. Public universities are essential in building broad national capacity, while private institutions add agility and global competitiveness. Together, they can form a balanced ecosystem that supports Malaysia’s transition to a green economy.

For graduates to feel genuinely employable, universities must strengthen industry links, employers must widen access to green internships, and policymakers must create stronger incentives for sustainable career pathways.

Green jobs are not just the future – they are already here. As the ASEAN Green Skills Fair 2025 reminds us, the pressing question is whether Malaysia’s graduates are ready to seize them.

-- BERNAMA

Ts Dr Amar Hisham Jaaffar is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator for the Master in Energy Management at the College of Graduate Studies (COGS), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). His research focuses on green behaviour, sustainable energy, green skills, and energy transition policies.