THE 2025 Budget, presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, offers a comprehensive roadmap to enhance graduate employability as the nation gears up for an increasingly digital and competitive global economy.
The measures outlined in the budget specifically on graduates, equipping them with skills needed for both emerging industries and traditional sectors, are vital in addressing unemployment in the coming years.
Digital transformation is a cornerstone of Malaysia's future economic strategy. Training programmes focused on artificial intelligence (AI), data science and automation will ensure that graduates are prepared for careers in high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The government's commitment to building a future-ready workforce will enable our graduates to take advantage of opportunities in a variety of fast-evolving industries.
According to a local report, in 2018, Khazanah Research Institute highlighted that employers generally expect graduates to possess 50 per cent soft skills, 31 per cent working experience and 27 per cent technical skills.
Thus, it is also a good move as the government is also encouraging and fostering entrepreneurship among graduates. A range of incentives, including grants for startups and matching funds for new businesses, aim to nurture innovation and self-employment.
Given the rise of entrepreneurship as a viable career option for many graduates, these measures are timely and necessary.
Supporting entrepreneurship not only diversifies the career options available to graduates but also contributes to Malaysia's economic resilience by promoting innovation and job creation. This approach aligns with the broader goal of reducing graduate unemployment and ensuring a steady talent pipeline while encouraging economic growth from within.
The 2025 Budget reflects a clear commitment to improving graduate employability through strategic investments in education, training and industry partnerships.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ZALEHA YAZID
Deputy Director (Graduate Employability and Networking), Career Advancement Centre (UKM-Karier), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia