Kuala Lumpur, July 16: Despite the pandemic, a recent digital career fair found that many Malaysian companies were still hiring.
These findings were derived from the recently concluded annual Malaysia Career and Training Fair (MCTF) jointly organised by Jobstreet and AIC Exhibitions from July 6 to 12 which saw over 250,000 visitors – an average of over 35,000 visitors per day.
“The fair was initially scheduled for four days, but due to an overwhelming response from the job seekers, we extended it by another three days,” AIC Exhibitions Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk William Ng said in a statement.
“What is clear is that despite the pandemic, many companies were still hiring, albeit selectively.
“There are still plenty of jobs in the market, but job seekers must be more savvy in their approach, and be better prepared as employers are more demanding given the changing markets as well as the challenges ahead.”
He added that the extension of the fair was part of the organisers’ way of helping as many Malaysians get back into employment as soon as possible.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate has improved steadily this year to 4.5 per cent as of May – as vaccination across the country ramps up.
The numbers were quite the contrast from the all-time high of 5.3 per cent during the country’s first movement control order, a year ago.
The fair – which rebranded itself this year to be known as MCTF Digital, saw the participation of some of the country’s top employers, including AEON, Exxonmobil, Hartalega, KLK, RHB Bank, Samsung, TDCX and Top Glove.
Visitors were able to interact directly with participating companies via a live chat function, browse and apply for jobs on the spot and participate in the many live forums to better prepare themselves for employment in the new normal.
Among the jobseekers, 28 per cent had more than 20 years of experience, while 26 per cent were fresh graduates – indicating that the pandemic has affected the most experienced professionals right up to fresh graduates.
By industry, the top three industries represented by the jobseekers were banking and finance, manufacturing and oil and gas, respectively.
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