insufficient training

Unemployed graduates are blaming universities and the government for providing them with the wrong type of education. Apparently, they are complaining that the skill sets they learn during their studies in tertiary institutions do not match those that employers require.

So now they are asking the government to provide more relevant practical training courses that are actually marketable. The graduates say that the universities are providing education that is "too basic" and insufficient to ready them for the real world. Well, why can't these practical training be done during university? Do the graduates have to always rely on the government?

Why not!

In response to this "alarming" indication of poor skill sets by Malaysian graduates, the government is looking into ways of revamping and relaunching the Graduate Training Scheme (Skim Latihan Graduan). Among the topics that the training scheme will focus on are communication and language skills. Perhaps this is a good thing, as many A-students with 4.00 CGPA have difficulties pronouncing English words, let along construct a coherent and meaningful sentence. Also, the "conservatives" tend to be more shy and do not have the confidence to meet the demands of a corporation that thrives on interpersonal communication and business relationships.

Why should the graduate then worry about improving himself during university days? He just needs to worry about scoring A's and maintaining that CGPA so that the results transcript would be "beautiful". Then when he graduates, he relies on the government to offer him incentives should he fail to secure any jobs independently.

Donald Trump's take

In the latest season of his hit reality TV series The Apprentice, Donald Trump separated the candidates into 2 teams: Magna consists of all college graduates, while Net Worth comprises of all high school graduates.

During the beginning of the season, in a startling revelation, the high school graduates collectively earn 3 times more than the college graduates in monetary terms. It would seem that having street smarts is more important than merely having book smarts.

In other words, having the right attitude, mindset and experience counts much more than mere knowledge. One could be a straight-A student who knows text books inside out, but haven't a clue about real working environments.

Berdikari

Overgeneralization of unemployed graduates as lazy and unskilled is highly erroneous. There are those who make the most of what they have rather than complain and whine and expect generous handouts from the government.

Here is an example of not being ashamed of doing unconventional jobs. And here is an example of the enterprising mind in action.

There is hope for all graduates. It begins in the mind.