JOHOR BARU: The unemployment rate is expected to continue to fall as the government holds more career carnivals.
The events aim to connect job seekers with employers, part of the government's efforts to strengthen the job market.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed optimism about the 3.3 per cent unemployment rate up to July, calling it a positive sign of economic recovery.
Speaking at the launch of the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) and the career carnival at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here, Zahid said the government was committed to implementing strategic initiatives that link job seekers with employers and promote skill development.
"This carnival is more than just a job matching event. It's a comprehensive platform that focuses on job creation, entrepreneurship development and TVET (technical and vocational education and training) empowerment," Zahid said in his speech.
The carnival offers 15,000 jobs with competitive salaries from 117 companies.
The one-stop JTDC aims to be a bridge between TVET institutions, industries and job seekers. It aligns training programmes with industry needs to ensure TVET graduates can access high-quality employment and improve their skills.
Johor is the first state to offer a premium salary scheme for TVET graduates holding Malaysian Skills Certificates, with wages starting at RM4,000.
This measure aims to retain talent by offering competitive wages comparable to Singapore, which has a minimum wage of S$1,500 (RM5,210).
Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, said the competitive wages will help retain skilled talent and enhance competitiveness, especially in the Johor-Singapore Special Economy Zone.
At the event, Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Bhd (JPDC) and the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) inked a collaboration agreement for a Centre of Excellence project, supported by development funds from the government.
JPDC deputy chief executive officer Izhar Hifnei Ismail said OPITO's Global Certification Standards were introduced at 10 public TVET institutions.
Five of those TVET institutions are now OPITO-certified. The remaining five are expected to be certified by the end of the year.
The internationally recognised certification will bolster Malaysia's workforce in the oil, gas, petrochemical and chemical sectors.
Since 2013, JPDC has conducted 92 skill-enhancement and retraining programmes for 7,917 workers, with an almost 100 per cent job placement success rate.
The three-day career carnival was organised by the Human Resources Ministry and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) in partnership with the Johor government.
The event offers career matching services from MYFutureJobs, counselling sessions, advice on Perkeso benefits, Rahmah Sales and booths by government agencies.
Present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, Johor State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Dr Azmi Rohani and Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.