Talent we cannot afford to waste

EVERY year, thousands of young Malaysians leave school, college or university, looking to start a decent working life.

Many have done what society wants them to do: study hard, get a certificate and start looking for a job.

But many do not end up getting the job they were trained for.

They end up doing work that has little to do with what they studied, or they accept whatever comes first, even if it doesn’t lead to a real career path.

In Malaysia, the issue is not about unemployment but underemployment.

The numbers show the problem clearly.

In 2024, 5.98 million young ­people graduated, while graduate unemployment fell to 3.2%.

Although this looks good, a closer look at the numbers shows that some 1.6 million graduates were working below their qualifications.

This is worrying, as many young people spend years studying and end up in a job that does not use their qualifications.

It is not just a personal setback but a waste for the country.

For too long, the answer has been that young people need to improve themselves, be more confident and be more flexible.

They were told to improve their language skills, take up TVET (technical and vocational education and training) or attend ano­ther course.

But it is too easy to blame the young.

A skills mismatch is a problem not only for graduates but also for the economy.

If Malaysia does not create enough skilled, decent-paying jobs, more good graduates will be pushed into jobs below their level.

So the remedy must go beyond another training scheme.

Universities and colleges must be more closely linked with industry.

Courses that continue to lead to poor job outcomes should be reviewed.

Internships should not be treated as a formality at the end of a course, but as an opportunity for real-world exposure, with proper supervision and learning experiences.

Employers must also play their part.

They can’t just keep complaining that the graduates are not ready.

Instead, they should do something to get them ready – introduce training, offer apprenticeships and provide clearer entry-­level pathways.

Emphasis can also be placed on TVET to provide skills qualifications.

A technician, machine operator, automation worker or healthcare technician can be in demand if they have good training – and fair wages to attract them.

The government must also assess the quality of jobs available in the market and not prepare young people for jobs that no longer exist, or work that does not pay enough to build a future.

The aim is to build useful skills, secure careers and a sense of ­dignity.

This also requires schools, universities, employers and the government to work together more seriously than ever.

Only then can young Malaysians move from simply having jobs to building real careers.