PENANG is all set to organise its first online engineering job fair to assist young graduates and those who need career advancement.
Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said that the career fair would be instrumental in helping engineers who have suffered job loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This career fair will provide a great platform for job seekers in the engineering field to establish or re-establish a good career pathway.
“The exhibitors are local companies waiting to tap into local talents.
“I think it’s high time for us to focus on employing the locals who are able to contribute towards greater economic value for the country,” Dr Ramasamy told a press conference in Komtar today.
Dr Ramasamy stated that he was not against the employment of foreign workers but would like to enhance employment opportunities for the locals.
“I feel that we should employ local graduates and labours in the industrial sector so that they can contribute to the development of the country. And they will be earning the salaries that they deserve.
“The state government gives its utmost support to this career fair. Penang needs to attract and retain skilled workforce, which includes the engineering graduates.
“The state also constantly encourages individuals to take up studies pertaining to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education,” he said.
The ‘Online Engineering Job Fair 2021’ is jointly organised by Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Association of Seberang Perai, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Malaysia Section, Junior Chamber International (JCI) and PenExpo Events. It is supported by Dr Ramasamy’s office.
The online fair will be held for three days starting from May 27 to 29, from 10am until 5pm. The event website will be announced soon.
PenExpo Events chief executive officer Francis Wong said the career fair would be participated by some 30 to 50 exhibitors from all over Malaysia. The exhibitors will be providing some 300 to 500 employment opportunities.
“Penang is known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ in the region, but now there is a shortage of manpower in the field of STEM.
“So, we have collaborated with top engineering institutions in the country to organise this event. We hope to provide aid with regard to employment opportunities in the engineering field.
“The online platform will be open to the public a week before the actual day of the career fair.
“Using the online platform, visitors can check out the profile of the participating companies and the career opportunities offered.
“Those who are interested can upload their resumes. They may be called for an online interview,” he added.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian