Malaysia’s premier career fair, the Malaysia Career and Training Fair (MCTF), returned this year with over 120 exhibitors and hundreds of employers and job seekers from various industries.

Co-organized by AIC Exhibitions Sdn Bhd and Jobstreet by SEEK, the first-ever SDG-themed career fair, MCTF 2024 provided an important platform for networking, interviews, and career exploration.

Empowering The Youth With MCTF 2024

Officiated by Guest of Honour YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports, the two-day event reinforced the government’s ongoing commitment to empowering young Malaysian talent. The MCTF 2024 also contributed to uplifting them with personal development and fulfilling careers. Moreover, the event helped cultivate an inclusive employment journey and contributed to the nation’s economic growth.

Since MCTF 2023, Jobstreet has witnessed a surge in job opportunities with over 11,000 job advertisement posts between the quarter of last year and this year. The sharp increase in job opportunities ties with Malaysia’s robust 5.1% GDP growth in the first half of 2024. Thus, the employers’ rising confidence in the local workforce shows how businesses need to adapt to become more sustainable and purpose-driven. This enables them to attract and garner top talent while staying competitive in the fast-paced economic landscape.

MCTF 2024: Sustainability At The Forefront

At the core of sustainability, MCTF 2024 and its organizers took measures to reduce the event’s environmental footprint. The practices included eliminating physical entrance tags and maps, as well as encouraging exhibitors to highlight their sustainability efforts. As such, this career event fostered eco-conscious employment practices and for other industries to implement similar values.   

The Organizing Chairman of MCTF, Datuk William Ng shared his thoughts:

Great companies and good jobs are built on sustainability. MCTF continues to push boundaries, embedding environmentally responsible practices into the very fabric of the event. As Malaysia’s workforce evolves, sustainability becomes a key consideration, especially among younger generations like Gen-Z, who are increasingly seeking purpose-driven employment opportunities.

Datuk William Ng, Organizing Chairman of MCTF

Supporting Job Satisfaction And Fair Employment

According to Jobstreet’s recent survey in August, 83% of Malaysian workers considered a shift in their specialization. The heavy rise of career changes in the country indicates the need for greater job satisfaction and a major focus on career aspirations. Thus, events like MCTF can provide those opportunities for individuals seeking to explore new paths.

Moreover, MCTF 2024 emphasized the need for fair hiring practices to curb discrimination and biases. The same survey shows more than 26% of Malaysian employees believed bias and discrimination were barriers to job security. Hence, MCTF placed the spotlight on creating equal opportunities for all Malaysians, regardless of background or age, and sparked important discussions during the event.

As pointed out by the Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia, Nicholas Lam:

This career fair is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s labour market, offering job seekers and employers a chance to connect and engage in meaningful conversations. Despite challenges in the global economy, we’ve seen high levels of activity in the local job market, with a marked increase in job postings and applications compared to last year.

Nicholas Lam, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia

Leveraging Jobstreet Career Hub For Upskilling

MCTF 2024 provided a platform for upskilling and reskilling through the Jobstreet Career Hub, helping job seekers acquire the necessary tools to succeed in the competitive job market. From February to September 2024, over 3,000 certifications were issued to Malaysians, with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint being the most popular.

On top of that, job seekers consumed over 145,000 minutes of learning content, enabling them to enhance their skills and stay ahead. New modules such as the Ultimate AI Guide to Job Seeking and ELS English Certification will further support users in gaining confidence to meet market demands.

Ultimately, MCTF 2024 has ignited a transformative journey for job seekers, equipping them with essential skills and confidence to thrive in the ever-evolving job market of this nation while championing for fair, production, and sustainable employment.