Key Insights from Halal Talent Symposium 2024

PETALING JAYA – In a world where the halal economy is rapidly expanding to new sectors and markets, the Halal Talent Symposium 2024, hosted by the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), emerged as a landmark event aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s positioning as a leader in the global halal market. With the theme “Empowering the Halal Workforce of the Future,” this symposium brought together over 200 industry leaders, government officials, and representatives from academia to discuss how developing a skilled halal workforce can drive the future of Malaysia’s halal economy and its reputation on the global stage. The gathering underscored a growing recognition: for Malaysia to maintain its leadership in halal sectors, it must prioritize talent that can uphold halal values and standards across industries.

Malaysia’s Commitment to Workforce

The event was inaugurated by YBhg. Datuk Bahria binti Mohd Tamil, the Deputy Secretary General for Investment and Management at the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI). In her keynote address, she highlighted Malaysia’s dedication to not only leading the halal sector globally but also doing so through a foundation of skilled and ethically responsible talent. Datuk Bahria emphasized that Malaysia’s vision of leadership in the global halal market rests on the nation’s ability to cultivate local talent adept in halal standards. This, she noted, is integral to the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, which outlines the path forward for a comprehensive and competitive halal ecosystem in Malaysia.

“Our strategic initiatives, such as the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, reinforce our dedication to maintaining excellence in halal practices and standards,” Datuk Bahria stated. She further emphasized that a workforce skilled in halal practices does more than bolster Malaysia’s economy—it sets a global benchmark for halal standards. With a foundation in skill and ethical practice, this workforce helps ensure Malaysia remains a trusted leader in this ever-growing sector.

The Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 is a visionary roadmap. With goals aimed at raising industry standards, supporting research and development, and creating an ecosystem that includes halal finance, tourism, and cosmetics alongside food production, the plan aspires to make Malaysia synonymous with halal integrity on a global scale. Industry leaders and stakeholders are increasingly aware that such a framework requires a deeply rooted workforce with expertise not only in halal-specific knowledge but also in sustainability and digital transformation.

Halal as a Comprehensive Ecosystem

Datuk Bahria highlighted that the halal industry has expanded beyond traditional sectors like food. Today, it includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, and a wide array of services. Halal principles now influence sectors as varied as hospitality, travel, and even wellness. She pointed out that this diversity within the halal industry demands a wide skill set across multiple fields, making the development of specialized training and certification critical for sustained growth. “At the heart of our halal economy are the people who uphold these standards,” Datuk Bahria said, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between small and medium enterprises (SMEs), educational institutions, and public-sector bodies.

In many ways, Malaysia’s halal ecosystem can be seen as an economy within an economy, touching nearly every industry. This holistic approach offers unique career paths and opportunities, many of which were discussed at the symposium. These pathways allow Malaysians, as well as international students and professionals, to pursue careers that align with both religious and ethical values, making the sector particularly attractive to the youth.

Halal Talent Symposium 2024: Industry Needs

A significant theme during the symposium was the alignment of educational programs with industry requirements. As Khairul Azwan Harun, Chairman of HDC, noted, preparing students and professionals for a future in the halal sector means designing curricula and training programs that are responsive to current industry needs. “Today’s discussions are essential in ensuring that our halal workforce is prepared and equipped to address the demands of a rapidly evolving global market,” he remarked.

Azwan’s observations resonate with the current demands of the halal economy. According to ResearchAndMarkets, the global halal food and beverage market alone is projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2025. But beyond food, sectors such as halal cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, finance, and tourism are all expanding, with each sector requiring skilled professionals who understand the complexities of halal compliance.

The significance of aligning educational institutions with the halal industry was emphasized by participants and speakers. By designing vocational programs, specialized degrees, and industry certifications, Malaysia is creating a model of workforce preparation that can be replicated by other countries looking to participate in the global halal economy. Azwan’s remarks, backed by growing global demand, highlighted that Malaysia’s investment in training for halal-specific sectors positions the country as a critical supplier of halal talent worldwide.

Bridging the Training Gap

A key highlight of the symposium was the introduction of the Halal Community Practice Framework. This framework, designed by HDC in collaboration with key stakeholders, is focused on enhancing training, accreditation, and certification within the halal industry. It seeks to close the training gaps that have emerged as the industry has expanded into new sectors and regions. The framework specifically aims to foster partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders. Through this initiative, HDC hopes to encourage greater career visibility and growth opportunities within the halal industry.

Based on feedback from various stakeholders, the framework identifies eight key interventions necessary to address the most pressing challenges. These include specialized training programs, industry-focused certifications, clear career pathways, and initiatives to increase awareness and appeal for careers in the halal industry. This framework reflects the need for robust partnerships that can create a pipeline of talent fluent in halal standards and practices, ready to support Malaysia’s ambitious goals.

These interventions are designed to address both immediate and long-term needs. They include strategies for improving awareness of halal career paths among youth, creating mentorship programs, enhancing research capabilities, and supporting SMEs with skilled talent. By facilitating these efforts, HDC is not only addressing the needs of Malaysian businesses but also ensuring that Malaysia’s halal workforce sets a benchmark for the world.

Related: HDC To Promote Malaysian Talents For Global Halal Industry

Empowering the Workforce

The Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 serves as a blueprint for the future, with a central goal of positioning Malaysia as the world’s top hub for halal products and services. To achieve this, Malaysia must continue to cultivate a workforce that can sustain and advance its reputation in the global market. The Master Plan outlines goals for growth in all halal sectors, aiming to double Malaysia’s halal export value by 2030. It also includes provisions for expanding halal research, supporting product innovation, and establishing Malaysia as a global center for halal certification and consultation.

The Master Plan sees the halal workforce as a pivotal factor in reaching these goals, as trained and motivated professionals ensure compliance, uphold ethical standards, and drive innovation. HDC aims to see a 50% increase in the number of professionals entering halal-related fields by 2030, particularly in sectors that have seen high growth, such as halal tourism, finance, and digital halal services.

The Halal Economy’s Influence

The halal industry’s influence is rapidly expanding worldwide, as non-Muslim-majority countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Brazil increasingly pursue halal certification to tap into the growing Muslim consumer base. For instance, Japan has been actively promoting halal tourism and certified food products to attract more Muslim travelers. Over the last three years, Japan has seen a 20% increase in Muslim tourists, spurring new initiatives for halal accommodations, certified products, and food options. As demand from Muslim tourists grows, countries like Japan recognize the potential of halal markets beyond traditional products and are working to create comprehensive offerings for halal-conscious travelers.

Moreover, the halal cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sectors are expected to grow by over 10% annually, according to research from Grand View Research. This projected growth aligns with rising consumer interest in ethically sourced and certified products, with demand for halal certification driving new standards. For countries like Malaysia, this presents a tremendous opportunity to lead by example. Through its talent initiatives, Malaysia is establishing itself as a provider of halal expertise, especially in sectors like health and wellness, where certification is still emerging.

Malaysia’s Halal Industry Development

Founded in 2006, the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) has been at the forefront of Malaysia’s halal industry development. As the world’s first government-backed halal industry development corporation, HDC is responsible for coordinating efforts that boost the participation of industry players in Malaysia’s halal ecosystem. The agency promotes growth through initiatives like the Halal Talent Symposium, which emphasizes the need for a skilled workforce that can uphold Malaysia’s standards in halal products and services.

HDC’s responsibilities range from overseeing halal certification and supporting SMEs to facilitating international trade opportunities. By establishing Malaysia as a trusted name in the halal economy, HDC enhances the country’s global reach, attracting investments and creating partnerships that strengthen the industry. With Malaysia already a leading exporter of halal products, HDC’s focus on talent ensures the country’s readiness to meet the needs of an expanding global market.

Through partnerships with various stakeholders, HDC has spearheaded numerous initiatives designed to empower local businesses. The agency has worked closely with MITI and the private sector to streamline certification processes, making it easier for businesses to enter the halal market. The agency’s long-term vision is to support Malaysia’s reputation as the go-to destination for halal expertise, a goal aligned with the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030.

Malaysia’s Role as a Global Leader

The Halal Talent Symposium 2024 represents another step in Malaysia’s journey toward becoming the leading name in the global halal economy. As the nation continues to develop its halal workforce, initiatives like this symposium underscore Malaysia’s commitment to innovation and adaptability. With a dedicated approach to education, training, and certification, Malaysia is positioning itself for a sustainable future in the halal industry.

HDC’s leadership in organizing the symposium and rolling out initiatives like the Halal Community Practice Framework serves as a model for how countries can cultivate a skilled workforce in the halal sector. With an eye on the future, Malaysia is not only investing in its current workforce but also laying the groundwork for the next generation of professionals who will lead the halal industry forward.

As HDC continues to drive the halal industry forward, it is committed to fostering a talent pipeline capable of meeting the diverse needs of the halal market. In an era where halal compliance is becoming increasingly valuable across various sectors, HDC’s emphasis on workforce development and skill cultivation stands as a model for other countries aiming to develop their halal industries.

The journey to becoming a global leader in halal is ambitious, but with focused training programs, strategic partnerships, and a clear vision for the future, Malaysia is well on its way to realizing this goal. For more information on HDC’s programs and how to get involved in Malaysia’s halal ecosystem, visit HDC Global.