THE Batu Kawan Career Fair 2021, organised by The Ship Campus and Peninsula College, was a success with over 800 resumes received for about 400 job positions advertised by 19 participating companies.

The inaugural virtual fair, held over two days from March 6, saw engagements from 5,000 people on the event’s Facebook page.

The fair was aimed at boosting graduate employment among the major industry players at Batu Kawan and to create more visible employment opportunities for those who lost their job due to the economic impact of Covid-19.

In his speech, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy expressed his confidence in the new investments in Batu Kawan and its role in not only enriching the electrical and electronics industry of Penang, but also the positive economic spillover effects namely in job creation.

“Much of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been cushioned by high-end investments to the state which continues to provide job opportunities for all.

“I strongly urge Penangites, and others as well, not to only take this opportunity for a career change, but also to upskill in order to future-proof ourselves against unprecedented future calamities, ” he said.

Among the leading multinational companies from Penang offering jobs at the fair were The Ship Campus, Peninsula College, PKT Logistics Group, Jabil, ViTrox Corporation Bhd, Paramit Malaysia, Penang Automation Cluster, Ultra Clean Technology (UCT), Hotayi Electronic, Nolato Malaysia, UWC Bhd, Advanced Energy Industries (AEI), Ibiden Electronics Malaysia, Osaka Rashi Hambai, IKEA, HP Malaysia and TOWAM.

The second day of the event continued with a panel discussion between Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, PKT Logistics Group chief executive and managing director Datuk Dr Michael Tio, ViTrox Corporation Bhd president and chief executive officer Chu Jenn Weng, and UWC Bhd deputy group chief executive officer Matin Ng Chin Liang.

The panel discussion, centred on unemployment and hiring challenges in Penang, found the panellists addressing the current challenges plaguing the industries and sharing insights on how to overcome them.

Sim reminded jobseekers and those impacted by the Covid-19 not to lose hope no matter how tough the situation was.

“It is hard work to continue on, but do not give up. There are many programmes offered by the state government and also private companies, ” he said.

Sim advised those seeking to shift from one industry to another, to persevere and seek out courses, or opportunities to upskill through education programmes in order to pave the way for them to venture into other industry.

“It is not easy to change your skillset but it is not impossible, ” he said.

Chu announced that the company was looking to hire 300 talents this year, comprising engineers, technicians, executives and interns.

The full list of vacancies can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/2832573877063298.

Jobseekers are welcome to submit their resumes by stating which company and position they are applying for and send them to talenthunter@theshipcampus.com.