Jeannie Khoo
KUALA LUMPUR: Kelly Services (M) Sdn Bhd (Kelly Service), an employment agency, has asked the government to focus more on providing training to develop talents that matched the skills required by the public and private sectors.
Sales and Marketing director Jeannie Khoo said the skills training must be given as soon as the students graduated.
She also said graduates, who have completed their studies, must be proficient in English.
“To be frank, if a candidate (going for an interview) don’t have a good command of English, he or she may not shine due to keen competition (in the labour market), and employers nowadays do look at your English and other languages that you may have studied in colleges or universities.
“They will also examine applicants’ practical and theoritical skills, education level and extra curricular certifications,” she told reporters at a function to announce new salary scheme for professional positions next year.
Khoo hoped the National Education Blueprint (2013-2025) unveiled recently by Prime Minister Datuk Seri najib Tun Razak would help increase the number of educators who can contribute to develop talents that met the criteria the public and the private sectors are looking for.
She said talented people, who are high achievers, should be given a high salary too.
“When applying for a job, salary is one of the top three priorities people look for.
“They will also be looking at the organisations and a nice working environment,” she said, adding that companies are now providing gymnasium and a spacious pantry in the office.
Khoo urged organisations and companies to invest in their staff as they are the ‘bloodline’ who would ensure their future.
“If the staff are treated well, they will ‘lock’ themselves to the company and give their best performance for a long time,” she said.
She urged the government to introduce an attractive incentive scheme to entice Malaysian professionals who are working abroad to return to Malaysia.
“They can enjoy flat rate income tax for the first five years and this can help them save around 15 to 20 per cent of their expenses.