Malaysian HR Pros Grappling With Talent, Training

Knowledgeable Workers: The quest for top talent isn’t confined to developed nations. Countries that are evolving into growth economies also are grappling with the issue of talent acquisition and development, such as Malaysia . Forecasts peg Malaysia’s economic growth at about 6.5 percent annually. But the rosy prediction may be a bit premature, unless companies there can nurture a sufficient pipeline of talent to help the region boost its international profile. That’s the focus of an HR conference this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital. The Malaysian government wants to gain recognition as a developed country by 2020. Part of the strategy includes the HR conference, where professionals from around the country are brainstorming on strategies for recruiting, training, motivating and retaining employees. Organizers say the event is intended to prepare Malaysian workers to compete in what is increasingly a knowledge-based economy.