MELAKA: Ten undergraduates have been appointed as Malaysia’s first MYFutureJobs Ambassadors in a new push to connect university students directly with employment opportunities, skills training and career guidance.
The initiative, introduced by the Human Resources Ministry through the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), also saw “Oyen” unveiled as the official MYFutureJobs mascot as part of efforts to strengthen engagement with young people.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the ambassadors, selected from five higher learning institutions nationwide, would help raise awareness of MYFutureJobs services and employment initiatives among their peers.
“This is a first for us. We have explained the opportunities available under the ministry, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), upskilling and reskilling.
"Students can learn about job opportunities in specific sectors and explore careers that correspond with the skills they have acquired,” he said after launching the MYFutureJobs Lindung Kerjaya Carnival at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) in Ayer Keroh on Saturday (Aug 15).
Ramanan said the campus-based ambassadors would serve as a bridge between MYFutureJobs and the student community by helping their peers gain greater access to information on employment, skills development and career pathways.
He said closer engagement on campuses was vital to ensure students understood the skills required by employers and were better prepared to enter an increasingly competitive labour market upon graduation.
Ramanan also dismissed the perception that TVET was a secondary option, saying its strong employment prospects and earning potential had increasingly made it a preferred career pathway.
“TVET is no longer a second choice. It's becoming the number one choice.
“Starting salaries can reach RM4,000, while experienced skilled workers may earn RM18,000 or even RM30,000,” he said.
He added that training institutions under the Manpower Department’s Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) recorded a graduate employability rate of 95.5%, while 97.2% of employers were satisfied with their graduates.
“These figures demonstrate that the skills being provided meet industry requirements,” he said.
Separately, the introduction of Oyen was a creative approach to making MYFutureJobs services and employment opportunities more relatable and appealing to younger Malaysians, Ramanan said.
Earlier, he participated in a dialogue moderated by celebrity Amelia Henderson, during which undergraduates raised questions about career prospects, unemployment and concerns over securing employment after completing their studies.
During the session, Ramanan urged students to continuously enhance their capabilities by participating in exchange and training programmes offered under the ministry.
He said graduates must be prepared to acquire new competencies and adapt to changes in the employment landscape instead of relying solely on their academic qualifications.
Ramanan also urged students not to regard artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat, but to use the technology positively to improve their skills and career prospects.
“You must embrace AI and learn how to adapt to the latest technology, as this will help you advance in your careers,” he said.
The carnival, held from 9am to 5pm, attracted more than 20 employers offering about 2,100 vacancies to jobseekers.
It combined employment matching with career and skills-development activities, including open interviews, resume reviews, career counselling, youth aspiration talks, a CEO sharing session and MYFutureJobs Rovers.
Participants were able to meet prospective employers, explore available vacancies and obtain advice on matching their qualifications and skills with suitable career opportunities.
MYFutureJobs Rovers provided interactive demonstrations of the employment platform and assisted jobseekers with registration, profile reviews and job matching.
The programme also featured e-sports activities as part of efforts to draw young participants and expose them to MYFutureJobs services in a more engaging environment.
The carnival sought to strengthen cooperation between the Human Resources Ministry, PERKESO, higher learning institutions and industries to ensure talent development remains aligned with labour market demands.
