Over 13,000 youths took part in Penjana Career Carnival - Saravanan

He said the special career carnival jointly organised by the Human Resources Ministry (KSM) and Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) aimed to address the unemployment issue, especially involving the youth which has become more serious due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over 8,300 job vacancies were offered by 26 employers during the carnival. Some 65 candidates were offered jobs instantly when they succeeded in the virtual open interviews while 320 candidates managed to enter the second round of interviews,” he said in a statement here today.

Saravanan said besides the open interviews, other activities included five career webinars by employers' representatives and professionals, focusing on current job opportunities, career preparation and employability, which gathered over 3,300 participants.

“The virtual carnival aims to help unemployed Malaysian youth to attend job interviews and secure a job with government initiatives even though some states are currently placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO),” he said.

Citing data from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) Employment Insurances System (EIS), Saravanan said as of Nov 20, a total of 19,396 or over 62 per cent of workers who lost their jobs were from among the youth, the majority of them aged between 25 and 29.

“Based on KBS records, the youth unemployment rate has increased to nine per cent. In line with the Youth Empowerment Agenda, KSM and KBS are committed to collaborate on issues pertaining to job opportunities, new jobs creation, skills training as well as youth access to funding and facilities,” he added.

Saravanan said as the country continues to deal with COVID-19 challenges, KSM would double its effort in implementing job opportunity programmes with strategic partners to reduce the unemployment rate, especially among the youth in the country.

Besides that, he said the ministry would also implement several initiatives under Budget 2021 to reduce the unemployment rate and boost the country’s labour market.