Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), through its Returning Expert Programme (REP) is targeting to
attract more than 1,000 Malaysian talents to return to Malaysia this year.

CEO Johan Mahmood Merican said 900 Malaysian talents returned to the country last year. Most of these talents were from the oil and gas, finance, electronics and electrical (E&E), and healthcare sectors.

"We are not just chasing numbers. In fact, in April we had revised our REP because we very much believe in having the right incentive for the right talent. For example, we reduced the car incentive from two cars to one car. We have also tightened our criteria.

"We recognise that incentives really should go to quality talents who can really contribute. We are not just looking at quantity but also quality," he told reporters at the Northern Region Women's Summit 2014 here today.

The REP, administered by TalentCorp since January 2011, facilitates the return of experienced Malaysian talents, particularly those with expertise related to the National Key Economic Areas in the country's Economic
Transformation Programme.

Meanwhile, Johan said most companies received well the work-life integration and family-friendly workplace concept which could retain women in the workforce.

"We are pleased to welcome private sector partnerships in advocating gender diversity and work-life practices. We are optimistic that more can be achieved with employers coming together to collaborate on various initiatives to retain women in the workforce," he said.

The Summit also provides an avenue for career women and managers who advocate workplace diversity to network, engage, share and deliberate on ideas to help them progress in their career, through a panel discussion and breakout session with top human resource leaders in the country.