Closing Asia Pacific’s skills gap with AI and Oracle HCM

Seismic changes have been underway for a while—work is evolving faster than ever. From disruptive technologies to shifting workforce expectations, organisations across Asia Pacific are feeling the strain. Against this backdrop, the skills gap is no longer a future risk—it’s a reality.

According to PwC’s 28th Asia Pacific CEO Survey, one in four CEOs anticipate a reduced supply of skilled talent in 2025. This challenge isn’t just a talent issue—this stark forecast highlights a growing talent crisis that can compromise the long-term viability and agility of businesses in the region. But there’s good news: leaders are optimistic about the role of technology in helping them close this gap. PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2024 shows most employees believe GenAI will support their work—not replace it.

So what does it take to connect the right people to the right roles, at the right time? It starts with combining skills strategy, smart data and the right tools. And it ends with a workforce that’s agile, resilient and ready for what’s next.

Rethink your skills strategy 

AI isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a critical enabler of talent transformation. Platforms like Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) make it easier to map skills across your organisation, identify shortages and match people to roles faster and more effectively.

Powered by embedded AI agents, Oracle HCM helps human resources (HR) leaders:

• Track and optimise workforce skills
• Automate skills-matching
• Align talent supply with strategic business needs

Next generation agentic AI takes this further. These digital agents use advanced modelling to anticipate shortages, suggest reskilling strategies, and even enable dynamic workforce planning. It’s AI that empowers people, not replaces them.

Agility: Your superpower 

In this labour market, speed and adaptability are essential. GenAI tools enable organisations to scale workforce planning, boost retention, and empower employees with tailored learning and career growth opportunities.  

How PwC helps HR leaders thought this journey with confidence 

Our Asia Pacific team works side by side with clients to: 

• Assess workforce readiness and skills inventory 
• Implement and optimise Oracle HCM platforms 
• Build AI strategies for workforce transformation 
• Drive measurable business value through modern HR 
• Embed continuous learning and inclusive talent practices 

Adopt a smarter talent strategy 

In March 2025, PwC and other ecosystem partners joined Oracle to launch the AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Southeast Asia. This hub accelerates GenAI adoption, offering businesses a space to co-create, experiment and scale solutions tailored to regional needs. 

• Through this collaboration, organisations gain access to: 
• Expert guidance on AI use cases 
• Secure environments to pilot innovation
• Scalable tools for long-term success 

Our agentic AI framework includes PwC’s agent OS, a platform designed to help businesses move beyond AI pilots to scalable impact. It connects AI agents across systems like Oracle to create governed, enterprise-wide workflows. 

Already, we’ve helped clients rethink onboarding, customer service and software development using coordinated agents that reduce manual effort and unlock new value. 

Turn challenges into catalysts 

The skilled labour shortage in Asia Pacific is real—but so is the opportunity to tackle it with confidence. With Oracle’s powerful HCM platform and PwC’s strategic insight, businesses can move from reactive hiring to proactive workforce design. Our collaboration with Oracle through the AI COE helps facilitate the development of AI use cases, proof-of-concept and scalable solutions tailored to specific industry needs.

Connect with our Oracle team in the Asia Pacific region and learn how we can help your organisation assess your skills challenges leveraging Oracle HCM and AI agents to empower workforce resilience and agility.