KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 15):  A span of six years is sufficient time for Malaysia to produce a skilled talent pool of 45% in a bid to be a high income nation by 2020, according to Kelly Services Malaysia.

The human resource company expects Malaysia's skilled talent pool to rise to 33% next year.

Managing Director Kamal Karanth said the current skilled talent pool in Malaysia stood at 27% — far off from the target of 45%.

"We have six years to do that. It is enough if we execute well," he told reporters today, after presenting the Malaysia Salary Guide 2014/15 report.

"We have the infrastructure and the vehicles required to upskill people. We just have to ensure that we are providing them with the skills," he added.

Noting the huge gap of skilled talent pool, Kamal said this is “going to be a long haul”.

But he said Malaysia has taken “huge steps” to upskill employees, in light of the initiatives the government has introduced over the last few years.

When asked if the minimum wage level in Malaysia is sufficient given the escalating cost of living, Kamal said it is not.

"As we see in other countries too, obviously the minimum wage level is never enough. In my view, it is something the government puts as a ceiling," he said.

Earlier in the presentation of the report, Kamal said salaries across industries in Malaysia have risen 10% in 2014/2015, from a year ago.