Kuala Lumpur, 28 December 2021- The Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro Programme implemented by the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) has the potential to be the right platform for the younger generation who are still looking for job opportunities especially during the current pandemic.
One of the participants of the programme, Maithly Selgan who is employed as an Aquaculture Technician at GK Aqua Sdn Bhd, is proof that the programme provides job opportunities and at the same time enhances the skills required in her scope of duties.
She admitted that the training she underwent through the programme had helped her to upgrade her soft skills since her background was skewed towards the technical field.
Initially, she applied for a job directly with the aquaculture biotechnology company but the company encouraged her to apply through the Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro programme.
“The requisite training gave me confidence to assert myself and give opinions in front of others. Throughout the programme, I learned various aspects of self enhancement and teamwork.
“In fact, I am very grateful to Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro because I am already employed as a permanent employee after undergoing training for a period of six months under the programme,” she said.
Research and Development Executive of Reszon, Nurul Hassanah Mohd Hassan admitted that looking for a job during the pandemic as a fresh graduate without working experience was arduous thus she tried alternative platforms to explore other career prospects.
She stated that Biokerjaya was extremely beneficial in connecting candidates with potential employers. The programme enabled her to contact companies which matched her educational background and at the same time was consistent with the companies’ requirements.
“Through this programme, I had the opportunity to understand the industry and improve my self-development while contributing to the company’s growth,” said Nurul who added that she was informed about the programme by one of her lecturers.
Chief Executive Officer of Bioeconomy Corporation, Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak explained that one of the main goals of the Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro programme is to provide job opportunities to all participants so that they could get a job during this challenging period.
“In the same vein, we also want to motivate participants to always upgrade their personal skills and equip themselves with knowledge and the latest technologies so that they remain relevant to fulfill the demands of the job market.
“Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro and other training programmes under the BioAcademy programme will enable them to do that because of the related trainings which emphasise the acceptance and application of technology at the workplace.
“This is in line with the government’s aspirations and efforts in modernising the agriculture industry by using modern farming practices so that the country will be known as a developed nation that is driven by technology-based industries,” he said.
Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro is organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) and was first implemented in October 2020, under the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA).
He added that apart from offering job placements and upgrading the participants’ skills, this programme encourages participants to be open-minded and to acquire knowledge and new experiences in areas that they were not accustomed to before, such as biotechnology, bio-based technology and agriculture technology.
“This mindset is important to enable the nation to move forward and develop progressively in a fast-changing world.
“Through this programme, participants will also realise that this field is not difficult to venture into. We want to show that regardless of one’s background or qualification, there is always room to upgrade one’s skills and job abilities in this field through the programmes organised by BioAcademy,” he said.
Through the Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro programme until October 2021, a total of 941 individuals obtained jobs in 78 companies and a total of 1,961 vacancies were offered through the Biokerjaya portal. Further information about the Biokerjaya @ My Future Agro programme can be obtained by visiting https://biokerjaya.my
