Graduate Unemployment In Sarawak Falls By 27.3 Per Cent In Five Years
KUCHING: Graduate unemployment in Sarawak fell by 27.3 per cent over five years, from 4.4 per cent in 2020 to 3.2 per cent in 2024, despite a 20.7 per cent increase in the number of university graduates produced over the same period.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the trend indicated that the state government’s efforts to address graduate unemployment were beginning to yield positive results.
“This means we have been able to reduce graduate unemployment through various government initiatives, including the Graduates Enhancement Training Sarawak – Work Readiness Programme (GETS-WRP) and Talent Path.
“Next year, GETS-WRP will receive a substantial allocation of RM22 million, benefiting 1,000 graduates, with a focus on key sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen energy and green energy,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Lingga Assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting here on Thursday.
He said the graduate unemployment rate remained at 4.4 per cent in 2020 and 2021 before declining to four per cent, then 3.5 per cent, and subsequently 3.2 per cent in 2024.
He explained that several contributing factors had been identified, including a mismatch between academic qualifications and industry requirements, graduates’ job expectations and a lack of practical experience.
He revealed that some graduates had been offered courses that were not their preferred choices when applying for university admission through the UPU admission system, creating challenges in securing employment after graduation.
“One of the key factors we have identified so far is that many of our graduates have been offered courses that are not marketable when they apply through UPU,” he added.
Other contributing factors included a shortage of high-skilled job opportunities, insufficient industry exposure and weaknesses in applying knowledge and skills in practical settings. -UKASnews
Prepared by: Jonnie Kiew
Photo: George Embie
Translator: Uilson Ng
