During recent years, graduates have been finding..........prepared to take up more demanding positions in the job market.

During recent years, graduates have been finding it difficult to seek jobs that match their tertiary qualifications. This has been especially so since 1998. As the recent survey by the Manpower Department indicated, a distressing number of 44,000 local graduates are reported to be unemployed.

This state of high unemployment is mainly due to the changing nature and demands of global trade, resource flows and competition. The demands of global trade would mean that graduates who want to take up jobs in the current job market have to be equipped with specialized skills and knowledge. However, most of them are found to be lacking in essential skills such as communication and problem-solving skills as well as leadership qualities.

There is no doubt that having a degree broadens the employment opportunities available and enhances an individual's chances of securing employment. However, graduates looking for a job must note that a degree is not a guarantee to a good job. In selecting employees, employers will look at what else graduates have to offer, including their confidence, skills, certifications, work experience and overall potential. Quite simply, a degree is not enough on its own and graduates must realize this.Since 1998, many graduates take an average of a year to get a job after graduation. Reports by the Human Resource Ministry have shown that more than 6,000 registered graduates were competing for about 1,000 jobs available at any time.

It is generally felt that local colleges and universities should improve the quality of knowledge imparted to their students, especially in emerging sciences. In 2005, the Ministry of Education announced that three of the country's oldest universities, UM, UKM and USM, have been made research-intensive universities with emphasis on postgraduate studies. These universities would be awarded bigger research grants to encourage postgraduate studies and research.

Local institutions of higher learning have increased with the advent of industralization and economic development. Today, there are more universities and university colleges nationwide. Currently, there are more than 500 such private colleges. It is estimated that about 150,000 students are attending public universities and 200,000 are studying in private colleges.

Another measure taken in 2005 was to retrain unemployed graduates. The retraining was carried out by Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad. Since July, more than 30,000 unemployed graduates had attended PSMB retraining courses in areas such as English, information and communications technology, tourism, event management and financial planning. The Government has allocated RM35 million to retrain some 6,000 unemployed graduates at its 200 training centers nationwide.

With the availability of greater opportunities of higher education and retraining schemes by the Government, graduates should be better prepared to take up more demanding positions in the job market.

Summary: Graduates are finding difficulty getting jobs to match their tertiary qualifications. Surveys show that a large number local graduates are unemployed. This is because of the demands of global trade, resource flows and competition. Graduates joining the job market must have specialized skills and knowledge. A degree is not a guarantee to a good job. Local colleges and universities should improve the quality of education. They were awarded bigger research grants to encourage postgraduate studies and research. About 150,000 students are attending public universities and 200,000 are studying in private colleges. Retraining of jobless graduates was carried out by Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad. Since July 2005, more than 30,000 unemployed graduates attended retraining courses. That year, the Government allocated RM35 million to retrain some 6,000 unemployed graduates at 200 training centers nationwide.