According to the Monster Employment Index (MEI) Malaysia, released by Monster.com today, online hiring by the oil and gas industry also grew by 11% year-on-year (y-o-y) in April, while hiring in production/manufacturing, automotive and ancillary increased by 6%.

Monster.com Asia-Pacific and Middle East managing director, Sanjay Modi said among the occupational groups monitored by MEI, sales and business development roles were most in demand, registering 9% y-o-y growth in online hiring.

However, he said as fluctuations in the Malaysian labour market had persisted, it was important for businesses to devise a talent strategy to minimise the skills mismatch between that of fresh graduates and the industry’s current requirements.

“The global workforce is in a constant flux, and it is vital for the government, industry and educational institutions to work in sync and support workers in mid-careers to upskill.

“Moreover, with sales and business development roles taking the lead, candidates with keen perspectives and a flair for commercial acumen will be most in demand.

“Malaysia needs to address the country’s skills challenges and help the economy towards its goal of achieving the high-income status by 2020.”

Meanwhile, overall online hiring in Malaysia declined 11% y-o-y, with the retail sector continuing to fare the worst among the job sectors, falling 36% y-o-y.