SERIAN: Job seekers coming to the ‘Jobs Fair @ Serian Sarawak’ organised by the State Labour Department have 1,115 jobs to pick from.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri (Dr) Richard Riot Jaem, speaking at the launch of the fair here Saturday, praised the State Labour Department, saying it was “the best” among so many fairs he had officiated at thus far.
“Jack Meredu (State Labour director) and his team have done a very good job and the fair is attracting a huge crowd,” Riot said.
It was estimated that not less than 2,000 young job seekers came to the fair, hoping to land jobs with companies that included such names as Zecon Kim Lun Consortium, Unaco, Mydin and Press Metal Bintulu.
Taking the opportunity of the presence of the, Human Resources Ministry’s chief secretary Datuk Dr Ghazali Abas, Ghazali’s deputy (operations) Datuk Elias Abu Bakar, perkeso deputy chief executive officerJohn Riba Marin and state Perkeso director Phillip Sangkan, Riot announced that the proposed industrial training institute for Serian will be launched on March 24.
He said works on the RM260 million project were expected to start shortly after the launch.
“I am making specific mention of this project because I want the people of Serian to know that this project is for real. It is no political propaganda talk.
“Serian has half a dozen secondary schools and the ILP when it is completed will give school leavers an industrial training option,” Riot said.
He said the ILP was useful in helping Malaysia to produce skilled workers needed to propel the country to attain an industrialised status.
“Until now 92% of ILP graduates have found employment, which speaks volume of the marketability of ILP graduates,” he said.
According to him, today Malaysia’s skilled workforce stands slightly over 20 per cent.
“Compared to a neighbouring country with a skilled workforce at over 50 per cent Malaysia has a lot of chasing to do,” he opined.
“The State Labour Department has been tasked to help fill 13,000 job vacancies which it hopes to achieve through holding 20 job fairs throughout the state this year,” he said.
He added the job fairs sought to match jobs and potential candidates, and make known jobs that were available in the market.
“Besides, employers are encouraged to conduct interviews at all Labour offices in the state,” he added.
Yesterday’s job fair was among 12 held simultaneously throughout the country bringing 430 employers and 25,000 jobs to job seekers. In Serian yesterday 20 employers were offering 1,115 jobs.
“With unemployment rate standing at just 3.3 per cent out of 1.5 million working group, by international definition Sarawak enjoys full employment rate,” he said.
Also present at the launch yesterday were Serian Deputy Resident Mastapa Julaihi, Tebedu District Officer Raymond Achen, Human Resources Development Bhd chief executive officer Datuk CM Vignaesvaran Jeyandaran, state Industrial Court chairperson Annie Solep and state Department of Occupational Safety & Health (Dosh) director Mut Sagai.
