Hiring carnival receives overwhelming response

PETALING JAYA: More than 13,000 youths applied for over 8,300 vacancies at a hiring carnival organised by the government, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

The three-day Youth Penjana Kerjaya Carnival organised by the Human Resources and the Youth and Sports ministries were held for the first time by the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

“This hiring carnival featured more than 8,300 vacancies by 26 employers.

“It received applications from 13,246 youths from all over the country.

“Throughout the carnival, 65 were offered jobs on the spot after having passed their online interviews and 320 more were chosen for a second round of interviews,” said Saravanan in a statement yesterday.

Saravanan and Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican officiated the virtual hiring carnival on Nov 24.

Socso data showed 62% of those who lost their jobs as of Nov 20 were youths, with most aged between 25 and 29 years old.

“The rate of unemployment among youths has increased by 9%.

“The Human Resources and Youth and Sports Ministries are committed to cooperating on issues on providing job opportunities, job creation, skilling and access to funds and facilities for the youth.

“We are also looking for ways to lower the unemployment rate and spur the labour market under the various initiatives of Budget 2021,” said Saravanan.

In a statement, Socso spokesman Mohamad Shafiq Adnan said that the hiring carnival received an overwhelming response.

This carnival is part of an initiative under the National Economic Revival Plan (Penjana) meant to stimulate job creation among employers and increase the number of job openings for jobseekers as well as enhance their employability.

Among the incentives under this initiative is the #MyApprentice which is aimed at employers who provide jobs to local graduates and school-leavers through apprenticeship programmes.