Prioritise future, graduates told
KUALA LUMPUR: Graduates and job seekers need to prioritise their future and grab available employment opportunities . They also have to be open to learning new knowledge beyond what they have learned in the university.
This was among some of the feedback received from employers, who participated in the 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) programme, which provides training opportunities for graduates in order to improve their marketability for employment.
Celcom Axiata Bhd Human Resources Shared Services Human Capital Head S. Kunaseelan, CIMB Group Talent Acquisition Head Soon Le Meng, Maybank Group Human Capital Head Marlin A Nordin and UEM Group Bhd Group Human Capital Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition Head Mona Abu Bakar spoke at a recent press conference to announce the next leg of the programme.
SL1M secretariat head Norashikin Ismail said some of the issues faced by employers included graduates and job seekers who refused to move from their hometowns to take up job offers, as well as those who turned down the offer after having received an offer letter.
Mona said it was understandable that youth were considering the cost of living prior to moving out to urban areas for job opportunities, or if they had special requirements, such as taking care of their parents.
She said companies often valued trainees that showed a great attitude to be considered for permanent employment.
“I also find that undergraduates do not have much understanding on industry needs, therefore they need to be open to learning new knowledge and play up on their skills,” she said.
Marlin said the SL1M programme is not organised with short-term aim but graduates should take it as a stepping stone in their career path.
“Graduates with an open mind can excel anywhere they want,” she said.
“Our trainees have moved on to permanentpositions and became high achievers including being promoted to managerial positions,” she said.
Kunaseelan said Celcom Axiata has been supporting SL1M since 2014.
“Trainees have benefitted greatly from courses to build up their soft skills, presentation skills, business writing, business communications, Microsoft applications and entrepreneurship courses,” he said.
He said by having a training stint at Celcom, graduates had the opportunity to deal with customers and to do sales thus building their self-confidence in facing with the public.
Soon said CIMB has trained graduates since 2011 under SL1M and about 30 per cent of them have been offered permanent or contractual posts.
At CIMB, trainees will undergo a course on the fundamental on banking operations.
They have trainees from various academic backgrounds including arts, administration, pure sciences other than economics, finance and accounting.
SL1M, an initiative under the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department, was established in June 2011 and till now, 126,000 graduates have benefitted from the scheme.
Norashikin said the programme provides a platform for industries to assist in nationbuilding, and helps young graduates fill up the gaps they may have due to the lack of industrial exposure prior to entering the job market.
She said the programme had unleashed many talents.
“Industries do not solely focus on academic qualifications and future employees must not be carried away by previous academic success,” she said.
On a separate matter, Norashikin gave a stern warning over the misuse of the SL1M programme by companies to mislead undergraduates.
“SL1M trainees can report to SL1M secretariat if they are being exploited by the companies,” she said.
About 12,000 job opportunities will be offered for those with qualifications from Year Six to PhD during the last leg of its nationwide tour, on Saturday and Sunday at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim, Perak. There will be more than 60 companies participating in the programme.
The open job interview is scheduled to be officiated by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan is also expected to attend the event.
Among celebrities that will join the event are Caliph Buskers, Datuk Ustaz Kazim Elias, Faizal Tahir, Hazama, Kumpulan Zero Maharaja Lawak, Nastia and Usop Mentor.
Other highlights of the programme include food trucks and crafts made by the differentlyabled group and Orang Asli.