‘We need more local shipyard talent, too’
Malaysia is facing a crucial need to bolster its domestic skilled workforce in the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry, according to Dr Zaimi Zainal Mukhtar, head of campus at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL-Mimet). Dr. Zaimi emphasized the necessity of producing workers equipped with practical shipyard competencies, digital skills, international certifications, and continuous upskilling to meet the industry’s demands.
Challenges and Recommendations for Malaysia’s SBSR Industry
The Malaysian SBSR Industry Report 2025/2026 has highlighted the challenges faced by the sector, including a heavy reliance on foreign workers to fill skills gaps and meet production and repair demands. The report also points out a discrepancy between the skills taught by local institutions and the actual requirements of the industry, especially in naval architecture graduates lacking essential competencies needed in ship design houses.
Key Strategies for Strengthening Malaysia’s SBSR Sector
Dr. Zaimi stressed the importance of aligning technical and vocational education and training programs with shipyard requirements to bridge the skills gap. He proposed a recognized SBSR skills certification framework covering various areas such as welding, marine electrical work, and ship design to provide clearer competency levels and enhance career progression. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of developing skills in 3D modeling, digital ship design, robotics, and smart maintenance systems to keep pace with technological advancements in the industry.
Furthermore, Dr. Zaimi emphasized the need to broaden Malaysia’s maritime talent pipeline beyond seafarers to include professionals like naval architects, marine engineers, designers, welders, electricians, automation technicians, and maintenance specialists. He emphasized the importance of changing the perception of shipyard work from manual labor to high-technology engineering and manufacturing industry to attract more young talents to the sector.
In conclusion, the goal for Malaysia’s SBSR industry is to reduce dependence on imported skilled labor, increase productivity, and enhance technology adoption to undertake higher-value shipbuilding, repair, MRO, and conversion activities. Collaboration between industry, training institutions, and the government is essential to develop a robust talent pipeline and drive the sector’s growth and competitiveness.
