KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) is working to spur the job market for youths as the unemployment rate is expected to increase due to economic losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
MBM executive committee member Kavita Maheendran said MBM was finalising discussions with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Bank Negara on organising a webinar on securing jobs.
Kavita said SMEs were among the hardest hit during the health crisis with possible further retrenchment in the youth workforce remaining a possibility.
"We are finalising our collaboration programmes and we have decided to hold a webinar to educate participants on the five key foundations in securing a job in the future.
"The five key foundations are financial literacy, soft skills, lifelong learning mentality, adapting to digital age and entrepreneurship.
"Among the five, we believe soft skills and lifelong learning mentality are key driving elements that can distinguish one individual (in terms of employability) from another," she said in a statement today.
Kavita said experts had highlighted insufficient skills, working experience, education and even skill mismatch as among the contributing factors to youth unemployment.
"People who are willing to learn, believe that their basic qualities and abilities are things they can cultivate through efforts and persistence.
"Such a mindset will lead not only to a passion for learning and personal development, but also confidence and resilience."
For instance, she said people have learned that work could be done from home.
"We all have adapted to this new norm and to be on top of the game, youths can learn something new so that their skills will be useful in future job applications."
Kavita said as of now, HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd is offering Employability Skills Training (EST) for Malaysian youths in partnership with MBM.
"There are potential internship opportunities awaiting trainees who complete the full programme.
"The training programme includes soft skills training, resume writing, interview skills, career guidance and digital entrepreneurship skills designed to elevate employability skills."
The programme is open to all Malaysians between the age of 19 to 26 years old, who are currently unemployed or working part-time.
The seats are limited to 300 participants. Those who wanted to join can proceed to MBM's Facebook page for more details.