Unemployment among Malaysian graduates beats national average

During the South Zone 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) Career Interview Programme at the International Convention Centre in Johor Bahru yesterday, director-general of the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department (EPU, PMD), Datuk Seri Dr Rahamat Bivi Yusoff mentioned that unemployment rate among graduates in Malaysia is currently at almost 4% - a number that’s slightly higher than the overall average of 3.5%.

Despite these figures, she reported to Bernama that this "could be reduced through the various efforts including SL1M” (1Malaysia Training Scheme) where most of the 92,000 individuals who participated in SL1M since it was introduced in 2011, had found employment.

She further commented: “When companies here consider giving such workers better pay, we are encouraging them to stay. If they are suitable for the jobs and the companies need them, why not pay them salaries that commensurate with their skills?”

Adding on, she urged companies in Johor, particularly in Iskandar Malaysia to “consider offering salaries that are commensurate with workers' skills and experience” to encourage them to stay and work in the country, rather than “running away” to neighbouring Singapore which offered lucrative pay.

Launched in 2011 to help the unemployed graduates in Malaysia, the SL1M programme aims to enhance the marketability of these young graduates. Preparing and packing them with appropriate skills, knowledge and working experiences throughout the training process, this CSR programme was regulated by EPU, PMD with collaboration and active involvement from Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and private sectors whereby the training cost was fully sponsored by the companies.

The two-day SL1M programme which happened yesterday, offers more than 10,000 job opportunities at the participating 120 government-linked companies.

Photo / 123RF