JOHOR BARU: More than 20% of graduates in Johor are working in sectors that do not match their qualifications, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The Johor Mentri Besar said the lack of manpower is an issue that must be addressed in order to accommodate the needs of industries with the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

“Since January this year, the number of jobs available has increased significantly, with some 74,710 posts being advertised. However, only 51,946 job applications have been recorded.

“In fact, statistics show that some 22.3% of graduates in Johor are working in jobs that are not proportional to their qualifications.

“Meanwhile, between 20% and 60% of graduates from vocational colleges in Johor are working outside of their fields due to mismatched jobs,” he said in a statement here Thursday (July 18).

He said that the state government has developed the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC), which has had a special meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other ministers in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (July 17).

“Several issues were discussed and agreed upon during the meeting. This includes turning JTCD into a one-stop centre with Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre to ease the operation, workers’ recruitment, and entry of investors into Johor.

“We have also decided to use JTDC as a connection centre between universities and industries to provide more talent development programs, upskilling and direct career placement,” he said.

He added that the JTDC will also conduct research on the effectiveness of existing programmes and restructuring of courses that are more suitable to the needs of industries.

“The JTDC will also be the data collection centre for ministries, agencies, and stakeholders for manpower research and industrial needs,” he said.

Last month, Onn Hafiz announced that the state government had mooted the setting up of JTDC to help create a highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of investors.

He said that having such a council would be key to ensuring the success of the JS-SEZ.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/18/more-than-20-of-grads-in-johor-work-in-sectors-that-don039t-match-qualifications-says-mb