Labuan job program draws good response
LABUAN: More than 2,000 job opportunities were up for grabs at the 1Malaysia Training Scheme (Skim Latihan 1Malaysia - SL1M) 2016 interview programme conducted here yesterday.
More than 1,500 unemployed graduates and school leavers turned out on the first day of the second series of 1Malaysia Training Scheme that offers 2,365 job offers here yesterday.
At least 1,500 job seekers are expected to come on the second day of the programme today (Sunday).
A total of 22 Malaysian companies and agencies were involved in the programme, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said.
Speaking at the opening of the programme yesterday, Abdul Wahid said the vacancies offered were for the youths with various levels of qualifications in Labuan FT and surrounding areas.
“The response to the programme this year is very good. We have 22 companies with 2,000 jobs compared to last year where only six companies offering about 400 vacancies had participated in it,” he said.
Abdul Wahid in his speech urged unemployed graduates to take the opportunity offered by the programme to prove their capabilities and competitiveness to other job seekers in the market.
“If you are successful to be chosen as a SL1M trainee, use the platform to improve your individual skills and gather as much experience as possible in the industry of your choice as this will be a value added to your resume,” he stressed.
He also advised the youths participating in the programme to be bold enough to be independent and seek jobs that may take them far away from home.
The SL1M programme was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in June 2011 and focusses on unemployed graduates especially those who come from the rural areas and from low income families. Abdul Wahid added that the programme received full support and recognition from the industries especially the Government Linked Companies (GLCs) and the private sector, both of which had assisted 71,000 graduates directly and indirectly through SL1M’s matching programme and interview programme. The SL1M programme, he pointed out, had helped local graduates increase their marketability and would be continued in Labuan FT.
“SL1M with the cooperation of the Labuan Authority and Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) organise the two-day programme which starts today April 16. It is held here in Ujana Kewangan Labuan which is a strategic location as it is a place popular with visitors,” he said. Also present at the event was Labuan Corporation chairman and Labuan member of parliament Datuk Rozman Isli.
More than 70 per cent attendees were jobseekers from the mainland of Sabah and Sarawak included from Tawau, Sandakan, Keningau, Kota Kinabalu, Membakut, Lawas and Miri, Sarawak. Syukri Ismail and Awang Ali Hassan from Membakut said they used sea transport from Menumbok to Labuan to attend the open interview.
They hailed the programmes as a platform for unemployed graduates to secure jobs.
Normala Othman, a university graduate from Sandakan, and her mother accompanied her to attend the interview.
“Me and my mother took the bus to reach Kota Kinabalu, about four hour ride, and used a speed boat to reach Labuan just for the SL1M interview. We will have to stay one night here before returning to Sandakan tomorrow,” she said.
Among the participating establishments include Labuan Financial Services Authority (LabuanFSA), Labuan Corporation (Under the Ministry of Federal Territory), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Talent Corp Malaysia, Lembaga Tabung Haji, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera, Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Celcom Axiata, Khazanah Nasional, Maybank, Labuan International School, Multimedia Development Corporaton Sdn Bhd, Sime Darby Berhad, Labuan International Insurance Association, YPM Insurance, OCFAM Global Limited, Gain Forlife Sdn Bhd and Parkson.
The jobs offered required a minimum of academic qualification of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and recognised university degrees.