Big crowd: Youths at a job fair. - filepic
WHEN people compare job opportunities in Perak with places such as Kuala Lumpur, most would say the latter offers more opportunities.
Most of those interviewed by The Star said that if given a choice, they would look for jobs in KL and other big cities.
Zafarlyn Mohd Tarmiza, 24, said she would find a job in Selangor rather than her hometown.
“I am currently studying in Universiti Selangor and I would stay there to find a job after I graduate.
“Personally, I would prefer to work there as I do not drive and I think the public transport system in Selangor is more convenient,” Zafarlyn said.
She added that she has been staying in Selangor since she started pursuing a diploma course in 2008.
“My family want me to return to Ipoh after I graduate but I feel that there are not many opportunities for me here.
“I feel that even if I can find a job here, the big companies will usually have their headquarters in KL or Petaling Jaya, so I would rather work there,” the accounts student said.
“Many of my friends have also chosen to move to KL after working here for a few months, as they feel that there is not much room for growth here,” she added.
Siti Naqiah Abdul Ghani, 24, also said she would prefer to live in the city where she pursued her tertiary education after her graduation.
“I have less than a year before my graduation and most probably I will find a job in Shah Alam after that.
“It is not that there are no job offers in Ipoh, but it is hard to find such opportunities when you are a fresh graduate,” the finance student said.
Siti Naqiah felt that many employers would want their employees to have enough experience before hiring them.
“This is why I feel it is hard for fresh graduates to find jobs sometimes.
“My family has not pushed me to stay in Ipoh as they want me to find a good job regardless of where I will be based,” the student from Taman Ampang said.
Businessman Raymond Loh, meanwhile, said since the crowd in KL exceeds the crowd in Perak, he chose to set up his business there.
“I sell spa and beauty products, so I feel there is a much bigger market in KL.
“However, I am also a partner in a reflexology centre here in Ipoh,” he said.
Loh said that he has a business in Ipoh so as not to be completely out of touch with his hometown.
“I travel from KL to Ipoh at least twice a month.
“I used to work overseas but I came back to Malaysia as I had to take care of my parents,” the 47- year-old said.
“I tried to operate a cafe here many years ago but had to close it down due to lack of business,” Loh added.
Advertising agent S.K. Chan felt that there are a lot of job opportunities in Perak, and it depended on whether he or she wanted to take it or not.
“I think it’s all just a matter of being able to take up a tough job.
“I don’t think the salary in KL is higher than Perak, especially when you consider the fact that the cost of living there is high,” Chan said.
He added that he used to be based in Johor Baru but had since moved back to Ipoh after his marriage.
“I am not planning to find a job elsewhere now that my family is here.
“I was born and bred here,” he said.
When asked about fresh graduates finding it difficult to find jobs, Chan said that it was due to them being choosy.
“I feel that many of them think they can get better jobs than the ones they are offered as they feel they are well-educated.
“Some of them also would not take on a job if they feel the salary is lower than expected or the job is too tough,” he added.
“However, they are not entirely to blame as most employers now will prefer their employees to have experience in the industry, which is an obstacle for them when seeking jobs,” the 36-year-old from Menglembu said.
An ex-barber, who only wished to be known as Lau, felt that the job opportunities in Perak are not too few compared to KL.
“I feel that it is pretty much the same, it’s just the people who are choosy.
“Many of them would run away from a job offer if they feel it is too difficult for them,” he said.
Lau, having just left his job in KL, said he would stay in Ipoh to find a job here.
Visual welding inspector Narmeet Singh said he wasn’t based in Ipoh as there were not many opportunities in his industry.
“The company I work for makes the pipes that are used for oil-drilling under the sea.
“I studied welding technology in Shah Alam but I was unemployed for six months as I could not find a job in Perak,” the 24- year-old said.
Narmeet added that he finally found a suitable company in Terengganu after that.
“It was hard for me to find a job as they usually hire people with experience in this industry.
“However, I feel the same could be said about many other jobs,” he added.
