MALAYSIA continues to make significant investments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and rightly so. TVET helps equip Malaysians with practical skills that are in demand across industries and provides a valuable pathway into employment.
However, there may be merit in developing another pathway that receives far less attention but offers substantial employment opportunities: sales and services.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), more than half a million Malaysians were unemployed in the first quarter of 2026.
While unemployment has continued to trend downwards, the challenge remains finding meaningful and sustainable career opportunities for those entering or re-entering the workforce.
At any given time, thousands of vacancies exist in sales, customer engagement, account management, business development, customer support and related functions.
These roles span almost every sector of the economy and can provide opportunities not only for fresh graduates, but also for displaced workers, non-technical graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs.
TVET is an important response to industry needs. However, it naturally serves individuals whose strengths and interests are aligned with technical and vocational careers. Malaysia’s workforce is far more diverse than that.
Every year, universities and colleges produce graduates in business, communications, social sciences, arts, humanities and other non-technical disciplines. At the same time, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping many clerical, administrative and routine occupations.
As a result, more Malaysians will need practical pathways into careers that rely on human interaction, communication, relationship-building and customer engagement.
Sales and services can provide such a pathway.
The demand already exists. Across manufacturing, technology, healthcare, banking, logistics, tourism, retail and professional services, organisations continue to seek individuals who can engage customers, manage relationships, support business growth and deliver excellent service.
These opportunities are not confined to a single sector or location. They exist throughout the economy and across the country.
This is particularly relevant as many young Malaysians increasingly seek employment opportunities closer to home rather than relocating to major urban centres.
More importantly, these roles offer opportunities for individuals who may not naturally gravitate towards technical careers but possess strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-management skills.
This pathway can also support future entrepreneurship and self-employment. Many successful entrepreneurs begin not with technical expertise, but with a deep understanding of customers, markets and business opportunities. Such capabilities can be developed through structured training and practical experience.
However, this pathway must be developed thoughtfully.
The objective should not be to produce transactional or high-pressure salespeople. Nor should it be dominated by motivational programmes that generate temporary enthusiasm but little lasting change.
Instead, the focus should be on building strong fundamentals, professional ethics, disciplined habits and a customer-centric mindset.
Participants should learn how to understand customer needs, solve problems, create value and build long-term relationships.
Such skills can prepare individuals not only for successful careers in sales and services, but also for future roles as entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and business leaders.
In an increasingly competitive economy, trust, service quality and customer experience matter more than ever.
Just as TVET provides a structured pathway for technical talent, Malaysia should explore a more structured pathway for people-oriented talent.
The two are not competing priorities. Rather, they complement one another and address different strengths within the workforce.
Malaysia needs engineers, technicians and skilled tradespeople. It also needs professionals who can connect businesses with customers, markets and opportunities.
Both contribute to economic growth, job creation and national competitiveness.
By complementing TVET with stronger training and career development opportunities in sales and services, Malaysia can create additional pathways for graduates, displaced workers, aspiring entrepreneurs and others seeking meaningful employment.
In doing so, we strengthen not only employability, but also the resilience and adaptability of our workforce in a rapidly changing economy. ‒ June 16, 2026
Anas Zubedy
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: HRM Asia
