Green and semiconductor jobs in Malaysia: the plans, the roles and the routes in

Key facts

• The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) aims for 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030. By the third quarter of 2026, 22,849 people had been trained.^[1]
• Renewable energy was nearly 32% of Malaysia's installed electricity capacity in June 2026. The government's target is 35% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.^[2]
• TalentCorp's critical occupations list for 2024/2025 names 66 hard-to-fill jobs, including electrical and electronics technicians as well as engineers.^[3]
• SEDA's solar design course asks for at least a Diploma in Engineering, and only licensed electricians may connect a solar system to the power supply.^[4]

Malaysia has made two big bets for the next decade: making more of the world's computer chips, and moving its electricity towards renewable energy. Both come with government plans, money and targets. Both also need people with practical skills, not only engineers with degrees.

A reminder before you read: a target is what the government is aiming for. It is not a promise of a job, and targets can be missed or changed.

The plans and how far they have got

Semiconductors (computer chips). Malaysia already holds an estimated 13% of the global market for chip assembly, testing and packaging, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in July 2026.^[5] The National Semiconductor Strategy, set out by the Prime Minister in May 2024, has three phases.^[6] It aims to:

• attract at least RM500 billion of investment in its first phase;^[6]
• back this with at least RM25 billion in government fiscal support;^[6]
• develop 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030.^[1]

Progress so far (observed). In October 2026 the trade minister told Parliament that 22,849 people had been trained under the strategy by the third quarter of 2026, through universities and technical training providers. He said the government was still collecting data on how many found jobs in the industry.^[1]

Manufacturing more widely. The New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) targets 700,000 jobs from manufacturing and related services, and a manufacturing median salary of RM4,510 by 2030, up from RM1,976 in 2021.^[7] These are targets for 2030, not today's pay.

Energy. Renewable energy reached 31% of installed capacity in December 2025 and nearly 32% in June 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said in July 2026. He gave targets of 35% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.^[2] The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) also sets 40% by 2035 and estimates about 310,000 green job opportunities by 2050.^[8]

Roles employers say are hard to fill

TalentCorp's MyMahir Malaysia Critical Occupations List (MyCOL) 2024/2025 names 66 occupations where demand is greater than supply.^[3] It is still the latest edition. Several fit these two areas.

MyCOL also says NIMP 2030 aims to grow IC (integrated circuit, or chip) design and wafer fabrication (making the chips themselves) in Malaysia, so IC design engineers and wafer fabrication engineers and technicians will be needed.^[3] Other job titles you will see in adverts, such as test engineer or equipment technician, ask for different things at different companies.

Routes in

Degree route. Electrical, electronic, mechatronic or computer engineering, or physics, leads to design and engineering roles. Ask any university you apply to whether its engineering degree is accredited, because that matters if you later want to register as an engineer.

Diploma and TVET route. TVET (technical and vocational education and training) includes diplomas and the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM, the national skills qualification). A diploma or SKM in electrical or electronic work leads to technician roles, which MyCOL shows are in short supply.^[3]

Solar PV. SEDA Malaysia (the Sustainable Energy Development Authority) runs two key courses:

• A 5-day grid-connected PV course for wiremen and chargemen. You need to be 18 or over and already hold an Energy Commission "PW2" wireman or "A0" chargeman competency.^[9]
• An 8-day PV systems design course. You need to be over 21, hold at least a Diploma in Engineering or a Degree in Applied Science (Physics), and be proficient in English. The March to April 2026 run cost RM6,113.23 for Malaysians, including 8% SST; later runs may cost more or less.^[4]

Only electricians licensed by the Energy Commission may make the connection to the power supply (the AC side).^[4] So for solar, the usual first step is an electrical qualification, not the solar course itself.

Energy manager (a later step). Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024, the Energy Commission registers energy managers. One route needs a degree in science, engineering, technology or architecture plus at least two years' work experience; another needs a diploma plus at least ten years; both need the Commission's training.^[10] Think of it as a role you grow into, not a first job.

Internships. CREST's Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry (ETSI) programme supports the NSS and offers internships to Malaysian full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in engineering, science or technology.^[11]

For parents

These fields include well-paid roles, but salaries vary a lot by company, location and level, and we have not found an official source that sets out starting salaries for them. Ask employers and training providers for real figures. Diploma and SKM routes are not second best here: MyCOL lists technician roles as hard to fill too.^[3]

What this means for you

• There is more than one way in. Technician roles need a diploma or SKM, engineer roles a degree, and both are on the hard-to-fill list. Choose the route that fits how you like to learn.
• Licences matter. For electrical and solar work, a competency licence from the Energy Commission can matter as much as your certificate, and exam places are limited.
• Targets are not jobs. The plans are big, but the government is still counting how many trainees found work. Check real adverts before you commit to a course.
• Expect to keep learning. Roles such as energy manager need years of experience first, so your first job is a starting point.

Your next step

1. Open the MyCOL 2024/2025 report(opens in a new tab) and find one occupation from the table above. Note the qualification employers asked for, then find three real adverts for it on MYFutureJobs(opens in a new tab) and compare what they ask for.
2. On Day 2, read the Build and Engineer lab brief and ask a practitioner: "Which task in your job did you learn at work rather than in college, and how long did it take?"