LAWA 2025 Celebrates 10th Anniversary with New Awards for Schools, Universities, and Changemakers

3 June 2025

PETALING JAYA: Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), today announced the launch of the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 (LAWA 2025), commemorating its 10th anniversary with a renewed commitment to recognising outstanding employers and institutions that champion progressive workplace practices, sustainability, inclusivity, and talent development in Malaysia.

A Fireside Chat session titled “Balancing Productivity in a Tech-Driven World” was moderated by Datuk Jake Abdullah, TalentCorp 50 Fellow, with contributions from Thomas Mathew, Group Chief Executive Officer of TalentCorp; Adrita Datta, Head of Human Resources for Malaysia & Singapore at British American Tobacco; and Wai Yu See Toh, Chief Executive Officer of Central Force International.

Under this year’s theme, "Driving Inclusivity, Powering Sustainability," LAWA 2025 introduces three new award categories recognising the vital roles of schools, universities, and changemakers in shaping a future-ready and inclusive workforce.

During her opening remarks, Wong Shu Qi, Chairperson of TalentCorp’s Board of Directors, announced the new award categories: “LAWA 2025 aims to drive change by not only recognising efforts in sustainability and inclusivity within the industry, but also by extending recognition to educational institutions. To this end, we are introducing two new awards for universities and schools, emphasising their role in moulding students into future talents,” she said.

TalentCorp Group Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Mather, highlighted that when LAWA was launched in 2013, their focus was clear – supporting employers in adopting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as integral to their evolution.

“At TalentCorp, we encourage organisations to embrace progressive work practices. By adopting these principles, we believe they can enhance employee well-being, improve work quality, increase productivity, and foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture,” he stated.

LAWA 2025 will recognise employers across 13 categories, with 33 awards to be presented, including:

- Best Organisation Award 

- CEO Champion 

- CHRO Champion 

- Women at Work & Leadership 

- Young Graduates 

- Employee Care & Well-being 

- Talent Sustainability 

- Workplace Innovation 

- Corporate Social Responsibility 

- Digital & Tech Excellence 

- Future-Ready University & College (NEW) 

- Future-Ready School (NEW) 

- Changemakers: NGOs, NPOs, MSMEs & Others (NEW)

Since its inception, LAWA has grown substantially. In 2024, the awards attracted a record-breaking 713 submissions from over 200 organisations. These submissions spanned a diverse range of entities, including public-listed companies (PLCs), multinational corporations (MNCs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public sector organisations.

After a thorough evaluation process, 38 awards were conferred across 14 categories, recognising excellence in areas such as sustainability, inclusivity, and talent development.

Submissions for the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 are open to all employers in Malaysia from 20 June to 3 August 2025.

Judging will take place throughout August and September, with the winners announced and celebrated at the LAWA 2025 Awards Ceremony in October.