KUALA LUMPUR | A former secretariat for a high-level panel on humanitarian financing in the United Nations has urged the government to review its policies on youth employment, saying the youth of today are looking beyond nine-to-five jobs.
Speaking at a forum on achieving greater heights in the age of disruption, held for former students of Kolej Yayasan Saad here yesterday, Siti Kamariah Subki said she had spoken to many youths, some of whom told her they were jobless because they wanted to chase their dreams.
“Our youth are ambitious. They want to help in social-impact activities,” she told FMT, listing pursuits such as plogging, an organised activity which began in Sweden that involves jogging while picking up litter.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate is 3.3% although youth unemployment is much higher at 10.9%.
Siti Kamariah, who currently heads the Selangor Women’s Empowerment Institute, said those who wish to champion social-impact activities should be equipped with organisational and fund-raising skills.
“Young people need skills to establish start-ups in organisations linked to social-impact activities,” she said. “Not just entrepreneurs involved with start-ups.”
She suggested that the government introduce gap-year programmes such as internships, conservation programmes and training in technology.
Another speaker, Hazman Hilmi, said youths should think of ways to accomplish more.
“To reach greater heights, youths have to give more that will benefit all, not only individuals or companies,” Hazman, the CEO of pilgrimage airline Amal, added.
Mohd Irwan Mustafa, head of private investments and special projects in Permodalan Nasional Bhd, meanwhile said youths need exposure and experience, and advised them to apply for internships in the fields in which they would like to excel.
“If they can’t get a full-time job, they should try to get into an internship programme to gain exposure,” he said.
