​​MDEC, LinkedIn ink MoU to enhance digital talents, businesses

• Will organize webinars to help SMEs expand regional, global reach
• Both parties will engage in initiatives to develop digital talents for Malaysia

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LinkedIn to further enhance the digital presence of businesses and develop digital talents in the country.

In a statement, it said the MoU focuses on two strategic fronts: Enhancing digital presence and equipping digital talents.

The deal will see MDEC and LinkedIn working together to enhance the online presence of local companies, to ensure that they remain relevant and effective in the present digital landscape, MDEC said.

This aspect of the MoU will involve activities including webinars to enhance the companies’ LinkedIn page, as well as setting up international corporate pages on the platform for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their regional and global reach, it added.

The MoU will also see both parties engage in various initiatives to develop digital talents for Malaysia.

This includes the ongoing 'Let’s Learn Digital 2021' programme, which sees LinkedIn offering the digital marketing pathway course for Malaysians, MDEC said.

LinkedIn will also be coordinating with MDEC to bring its popular ‘Rock Your Profile’ sessions to lecturers and students of MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Institutions (PDTIs).

‘Rock Your Profile’ sessions provide tips on how LinkedIn users can realise the full creative potential of a LinkedIn profile, on top of insider advice on profile, long-form posts, and other LinkedIn tools that agency professionals are using to increase their productivity and success, MDEC said.

Many Malaysian enterprises already understand the importance of an online presence for their business, it said.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has driven even wider digitalisation locally and internationally, which necessitates more innovative and effective means of standing out, MDEC explained.

“Two ingredients that are fast becoming essential for companies today are a strong digital presence and competent digital talents.

“To that end, this partnership between MDEC and LinkedIn can help ensure local businesses remain globally competitive,” said Surina Shukri, chief executive officer (CEO) of MDEC.

She added that the job landscape is set for a massive shift. Citing a WEF Future of Jobs Report, she said 97 million new jobs will be created and 50% of employees will require retraining by 2025. 

“Covid-19 has accelerated the adoption of digital platforms across Southeast Asia.

“This digital transformation has led to many changes in the workforce, for example, it has driven the adoption of new business practices amongst companies in Malaysia,” said Frank Koo, head of Asia, talent and learning solutions at LinkedIn.

Koo said moving forward, it is important that both businesses and workers are equipped with digital skills and capabilities to help them remain relevant.

The announcement of MDEC and LinkedIn’s MoU comes during the #MyDigitalWorkforce Week, which is ongoing in the month of August.

To sign up for #MyDigitalWorkforce Week and for more information on the event, visit here.