Diverse job opportunities
THE vast developments in Johor have opened up a host of job opportunities for the people, especially youths.
Youths are excited about this prospect with some pinning hopes to learn on the job and eventually setting up their own business in the future.
Aina Yunus, 24, was glad that she could put her skills to use as a biotechnician at a hospital in Johor Baru where she started work at the end of last year.
“At first I was not hopeful of landing a job right after I have completed my diploma course as I heard that the job market is tough now. But when I got called for an interview from the hospital, I was overjoyed.
“I’m tasked to operate and repair medical equipment on a daily basis and have to be on call until the wee hours one day a week, but I am enjoying it as it is part of the job,” she said.
She also believes that there are many vacancies in her field as Johor is also working to become a medical tourism destination.
M. Vinot, 21, who took up a sandblasting and painting course at skill- based learning institution YPJ under a state government- sponsored programme, harbours dreams of owning his own business one day.
“During the free course, I got to learn about the various technologies to be applied in the field and with the certification, I hope to find a job soon and start saving money.
“I plan to have a small business in car painting and if possible, one day get contracts to paint ships, since Johor has a few fine ports, such as Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port,” said Vinot enthusiastically.
College student Tang Chia Yi, 23, hopes that more career fairs would be held to help fresh graduates find jobs in the market.
“My elder sister went to one of the job fairs in Johor Baru two years ago and found a job in the hospitality sector and she seems to enjoy it a lot.
“I think job fairs are useful as they bring together companies that offer jobs and for people to survey the job market.”
For 19- year- old K. Uma, working at a factory proved to be mundane for her so she decided to take up hair styling as she always had an interest in make- up and hairstyling.
“The job market is highly competitive now, so I decided to equip myself with a skill so I can have a brighter prospect.
“Maybe after a few years of working, I can start a bridal make- up and hairstyling business,” she said.
Johor Unity and Human Resources executive council chairman R. Vidyanathan said that the state’s progress has opened up 89,434 job vacancies.
He said the three most popular sectors are manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishery as well as hospitality and food and beverage sectors.
He added that the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex in Kota Tinggi, which is the biggest oil and gas hub in the region, would need about 50,000 skilled workers in the next five years, such as safety officers, welders and painters.
He said that the state government plans to further develop Desaru as a tourism destination and another 20,000 job opportunities are expected to open up there as well.
“Jobs such as pastry chefs, kitchen hands, cooks and those in the service sector will be available. The state’s job market is looking positive and it is up to the people whether they want to take it or not.
“Johoreans, especially youths, cannot afford to sit and watch development goes by. They have to be open to these skilled jobs,” he said.
Vidyanathan also said that the state government has introduced a series of skills- enhancing programmes to help youths boost their skills and value such as Azam Kerja Muafakat Johor, a fair that offered some 700 jobs, Kembara Kerjaya and skill- enhancing Capacity and Capability and youth intervention initiatives.
“The people have to be exposed to skilled job opportunities and take advantage of them.”