Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman, President of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said that while Malaysian university graduates tend to excel in academic and technical knowledge, there remain significant gaps in practical experience, industry readiness, and soft skills. These gaps lead to challenges for graduates when working in real-world
environments.
To prepare students to have better abilities and professions, Jom Kerja: Unlock Your Future is proud to announce its upcoming Skill Up, Stand Out career exhibition. Scheduled to take place
on 25 and 26 March 2025 at Foyer, Dewan Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kampar Campus. This exhibition is free of charge and welcomes graduating students and fresh graduates in Perak and beyond.
Jom Kerja: Unlock Your Future is a final year project organized by the Bachelor of Communications (Honours) Public Relations students from UTAR. This employability-focused
initiative is held in collaboration with PERKESO (SOCSO) to raise awareness about the
MyFutureJobs Portal and educate university students about employability through industry- connected events under the key message, “Industry Exposure Builds Employability”.
Mr Mohanadas A/L Veraya, Pengarah PERKESO Negeri Perak, said that collaborating with UTAR
students is a great chance to reach more university students in Kampar and beyond. While most
graduating students are confident in the academic and technical knowledge they have learned from their courses, they often lack practical experience which is one of the requirements employers look for when hiring. Additionally, many students also feel that they lack proper careerguidance when making decisions to find their career path.
Chen Zhi Shan, the Assistant Project Lead I from Jom Kerja, shared, “We found that while many
university students feel that they are ready to join the workforce, there are still gaps in their practical skills and work experience. Both students and employers agree that more hands-on learning and industry exposure are needed to enhance employability and better prepare students for their future careers. Through our previous roadshows and panel discussions, we have connected students from Perak and beyond with industry professionals, allowing them to be involved in meaningful discussions with real-life industry leaders.”
The exhibition aims to provide university students with proper career guidance and assist them in
improving the soft skills needed to better prepare for graduation. Besides, fresh graduates are also welcome to visit the career booths on 26th March 2025, allowing them to engage and network with over 70 reputable employers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to join a talk titled “Most Wanted Skills & Youth Employability.” This session will be presented by Mr. Alfred Leo, Marketing Director of GTI Media Asia, who will share valuable insights into the key skills employers seek and how graduates can enhance their employability in today’s job market. The talk can equip students with practical knowledge to navigate the competitive job market and secure career opportunities. Counselling booths will be provided by PERKESO officers to help attendees have a clearer understanding of their career path. Attendees are also encouraged to register for the MYFutureJobs Portal on the spot, and the PERKESO officers are available to guide them with the registration process. In addition, exciting skill-based station games will also be organized to develop and improve skills such as problem-solving skills and public-speaking skills, offering attendees an interactive experience.
Ley Xin Yi, Programme Head of Department I from Jom Kerja expressed that we are committed to enhancing students’ awareness of essential workplace skills. This exhibition engages students through interactive games, bridging the gap between academics and industry while encouraging adaptability, communication, and problem-solving to better prepare them for the workforce.
The Skill Up, Stand Out career exhibition provides an experiential learning opportunity and
industry engagement to graduating students and fresh graduates, exposing them to trial job
situations and enhancing their employability skills. For more information about the exhibition, please visit our official Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.
