More than 97,000 graduates from SL1M - Abdul Rahman

More than 97,000 graduates have benefited and obtained jobs since the launch of the 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) in 2011 until last September.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said through SL1M, graduates were given the opportunity to go for job training and improve their communication skill.

Apart from that, they also learned to build their integrity, be competitive and responsible in implementing the tasks given by their employers, he said in his speech when opening the Sabah SL1M Career Festival at the Sabah Rela Training Centre here today.

The text of Abdul Rahman's speech was read out by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Seri S. K. Devamany.

Abdul Rahman said the government had never taken lightly the issue on unemployment despite statistics by the Department of Statistics showing a low unemployment rate, at 3.5 per cent last September.

"In fact, the government will continue to help the young talents to secure jobs with various intervention programmes, including SL1M, carried out by the government to increase the graduates marketability," he added.

However, he said, job seekers should be willing to get out of their comfort zone if they wanted to improve their skills and knowledge, as well as to keep abreast with changing times.

A total of 13 companies took part in the festival, which is the last for this year. It offers about 1,000 job opportunities and training for graduates at all levels.

At the event, 350 children who would begin their school session next year received two pairs of school uniform, shoes, bag and stationery each from Abdul Rahman, who is also Kota Belud Member of Parliament.

-- BERNAMA