Tiong in Parliament Bintulu:- Human Resource Ministry has been making frequent visits to private sectors particularly the industrial sector to obtain information on job vacancies available for jobless graduates who are seeking suitable jobs, member of parliament for Bintulu Tiong King Sing said today. He said from January to May this year, the ministry had identified 1,462 vacant positions in these sectors and from this number, 293 placements had been successfully carried out. "For the same period, 7,438 graduates who are unemployed have registered themselves with the Manpower Department. The ministry is also doubling the efforts to register unemployed graduates through the department, apart from setting up registration counters in public areas such as supermarkets, public halls, " he said, in reference to the reply by the ministry of human resources at the recent parliament session. Tiong had asked human resource minister to reveal the steps taken by the ministry in addressing the problems of 25,000 unemployed graduates including getting assistance from the private sectors especially the industries in an effort to give them trainings, which are suitable to the industrial needs. Tiong said the ministry had plans to set up electronic labour exchange (ELX) , which could expedite the registration, job-matching and placements of the job-seekers into available positions. "Under this project, registration can be carried out through the Internet to enable job-seekers to register and prospective employers can advertise the available the vacancies without having the job-seekers coming to the manpower department, " he said, adding that the project could allow latest information on job market be retrieved with ease and quicker. Tiong said the ministry was also doubling its efforts to carry out career guidance and counseling for job seekers at all manpower department offices throughout the country. "Under the courses, job-seekers especially graduates will be advised not to be too selective and they should opt to work for a position and salary which is relatively lower for the sake of obtaining working experience. "Job seekers are also advised to upgrade the knowledge and skills especially in the information and communication technology apart from improving their command in English which corresponds to the current job market needs, " he said, adding that the ministry was also disseminating information on job market with more vigor and wider through homepage, publications and bulletins, monthly reports, talks, exhibitions, radio and television broadcasts. Tiong also said one of other effective ways was the ministry would double its efforts in organizing job fairs which enable prospective employers meet potential job seekers through open interviews. This program is being carried out by manpower department in each state throughout the country. He said the ministry also encouraged the assistance from the private sectors especially the manufacturing industries to carry out trainings that corresponds with their needs and requirements, for potential job seekers. "In this respect, the problem of graduates not having the right skills as required by the industries, will be greatly reduced, " he added. On another strategy, Tiong said, the ministry through Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) is now offering courses on ICT stage I & II and language courses in English and Mandarin in an effort to provide the necessary knowledge and give the unemployed graduates better chances to secure jobs. "Until June 5, a total of 7,350 graduates have been approved to pursue the training under the Graduates' Training Scheme with a total financial assistance of RM 55.8 million. " "For graduates who are taking ICT stage I & II courses, the training period is 3.5 months and they will be placed for two months at prospective employers' premises as to give them the exposure on the job environment, " he said. Tiong said other government agencies were also offering training schemes to unemployed graduates such as Pursuing Higher Studies, Training and Placement, Tutoring and Placement, Research Placement, Commercial Agriculture Entrepreneur Graduates and Placement and Private Sector Training Schem.