Bridging the Gap for Fresh Graduates

Thousands of Malaysian graduates have degrees in science, arts, commerce and the opportunities for graduates from these streams have increased manifold over the past couple of years. Yet many graduates remain without jobs.

As graduates complain about a lack of jobs, companies across Malaysia see a lack of skilled applicants. The contradiction is explained by the lack of top quality undergraduate education. Malaysia’s universities swallow in thousands of new students every year, only to churn out many degree holders who are still not "job material".

Here’s an idea of what the industry wants:

Today, the bare essential job skills at the entry-level have evolved from simply pushing papers to answering phones, working effectively in teams, delivering presentations, and handling irate customers/clients tactfully and with finesse.

The ability to communicate effectively in English, professional selling skills, body language, time management, computer-savviness, and the know-how to gather information and use search engines like Google are some of the marketable skills that are required. However, these skills are rarely taught in the graduate curriculum.

Young graduates don't get the chance to learn to communicate effectively, work in groups, or hold discussions. Add to this the fact that many graduates are not taught in English, effectively barring them from the high-end job market. And, where English is taught, it is sometimes not necessarily the kind employers require.

Those of us who are directly involved in preparing these young people for the working world, do remember that their objectives as a student should be to try to proactively bridge the skills gap between what the industry needs and what they possess. Basic oral and written communication skills, basic computer skills (MS Office, Internet, etc), and a good workplace attitude (commitment and teamwork) are prerequisites to landing the best available jobs. Help them understand which sector you are suited for, and then accordingly work on their skills – soft skills being one component.

Employability is automatically increased if you have good professional grooming. It is about how they express themselves, interact with and react to others, form relationships, work in teams, and impress clients. In a nutshell, it is about developing their overall personality.