KOTA BELUD. Public and private higher learning institutions (IPT) in this country should adopt a more proactive approach to producing high-quality graduates who possess the necessary skills to thrive in both local and international job markets.
In making the call, former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak emphasised the importance of exposing and equipping graduates with critical thinking abilities, leadership qualities, teamwork skills, and a global mindset.
“The current uncertain economic world of work is very challenging. Therefore, graduates need to be prepared to compete for jobs and future opportunities,” he said.
Salleh, who is also the Usukan assemblyman, said this when delivering his speech at the launch of the PERKESO Career Programme here today.
The programme is jointly organised by SSK Centre, Akademi Pembangunan Minda Sdn Bhd, and the Social Security Organisation, or PERKESO.
Salleh commended the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) for its commitment to enhancing graduate employability through various initiatives.
He highlighted the positive impact of these collaborative efforts, citing a decrease in the unemployment rate for Sabah from 21.8% in 2022 to 14.2% in 2023.
Salleh further referenced data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), which recorded a total of 569.2 thousand unemployed individuals in the fourth quarter of 2023, indicating a slight decrease from the previous quarter.
He expressed his confidence in the continuous reduction of the unemployment rate in Sabah, emphasising that the SSK Centre will persistently strive to support and enhance the employability of graduates from higher learning institutions for the benefit of all.
