KUALA LUMPUR: The higher education ministry is confident that it is on the right track to increase the percentage of graduates earning a premium salary of RM4,000 per month, by strengthening ties with industries and implementing specific and strategic measures.
Its minister Khaled Nordin said this was to ensure that upcoming graduates possess the necessary skills and are industry-oriented, through more focused and targeted approaches, and directly addressing the industry’s needs.
For example, he said Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has started a pilot project with the establishment of a Research and Industry-Infused Incubator under his ministry in order to develop “industry-ready talent” for the electric and electronics sector.
“Approximately 40 graduates have been produced through this project and are earning around RM4,000. Currently, there are about 70 to 80 individuals undergoing training but the industry’s demand exceeds 200 people and can reach up to 900 individuals.
“USM certainly cannot meet this supply alone,” he told a press conference.
Earlier, he officiated the Graduate Job Market Conference organised by the higher education ministry and UPM, which aims to identify and discuss information related to future job markets for graduates.
Khaled said the ministry has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sirim, which covers various programmes, including TVET, consultation services, quality certification and related recognition.
The minister said he was informed that Sirim needs about 1,000 graduates per year to do audit work for companies applying for Quality Management System certification (ISO), with a salary of RM1,500 per day.
Asked about the percentage of graduates earning a premium salary, he said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is currently at 30%, while other universities are at 10-15%.
“So the effort to ensure graduates earn premium salaries does not happen automatically. It requires specific and strategic cooperation with the industry,” he said.
He added that the higher education ministry had developed the Graduate Employability Management (GEM) digital platform, which allows users, especially graduates under the ministry, to apply for internships and employment and makes it easier for industries to identify those who meet the criteria.
Today’s conference was also aimed at finding the best intervention for the ministry to increase graduate marketability and determine the best solution for issues related to job-skill mismatch, starting salaries and others.
The conference is supported by the ministry’s strategic partners, namely Talent Corporation Malaysia, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, the Social Security Organisation and LinkedIn Malaysia. - FMT
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