Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (left) and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad launching the TalentCorp’s mynext initiative.
WITH the Government’s mandate in hand, TalentCorp is all set to create a dynamic talent ecosystem for Malaysia’s economic growth through its newly launched mynext initiative.
Through that, students can learn to identify their strengths and gaps, employers can source for talents who fit into their organisations and universities can improve their students’ employability rate.
“The mynext initiative was created in 2017 as a sole profiling tool with input from experienced counsellors and psychologists in order to improve graduate employability,” elaborated TalentCorp group CEO Thomas Mathew.
TalentCorp group CEO Thomas Mathew: ‘TalentCorp believes that collaborations and partnerships with all main stakeholders are key to building a stronger, more resilient community.
Over the years, it evolved to become a comprehensive portal that brings all key stakeholders – students, companies and universities together on a single platform.
With its newly embedded National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP) – TalentCorp’s signature initiative – within mynext, MySIP employers can gain access to interns through collaboration and partnership with the universities.
“We have also widened our net to allow participation from the public, instead of just being used by students,” said Mathew.
Enhanced workforce skills
“Before adopting the mynext platform, students have difficulties finding a free career psychometric assessment that can directly link to any suitable career based on their interest, aptitude and skills,” pointed out UiTM Shah Alam head of career unit, Ahmad Janaidi Ab Ghani.
“mynext is good because it is based on Malaysia’s job scope and requirements,” he added.
Ahmad said the programme helps students realise the skills they need to develop in order to assume their roles within any company or even attain their dream job.
“As it is mandatory for new students to register with mynext, our counsellor would carry out programmes that promote it and guide students on how to answer all its sections.
UiTM Shah Alam head of career unit, Ahmad Janaidi Ab Ghani: ‘mynext is good because it is based on Malaysia’s job scope and requirements.’
“It can enhance students’ way of learning in the future as they would know more about themselves and incorporate their work values, interest, personality and motivation in their career,” said Ahmad.
Digital 2D animation studio Inspidea Sdn Bhd has been one of the many companies that have signed with mynext Company.
Director Ooi Kok Hong said, “We wanted to diversify our approach to attract interns and students and take this opportunity to source for new talents.
Ooi said that the company has always wanted to recruit and train new talents and the mynext programme provides an additional avenue to source for its talent pool.
“At this moment, the programme is comprehensive but of course, additional features introduced in the near future are welcomed.”
Solution to skills gap
With regards to the problem of mismatched occupation or skills, Mathew said: “It is important to address this so that the labour market is not further weakened by gaps.”
He said that mynext enables TalentCorp to leverage on the data and information to help bridge the gap between institutions, students, and the workforce.
“The adoption of mynext opens the doors to a conglomerate of opportunities in tackling the new era of workforce,” he said.
It supports students in their study-to-work transition using tools that provide them with clear indication of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as analysis of their most employable factors.
Higher learning institutes can use this data to help develop training programmes and curricula that are in line with current industry demands, while addressing the needs of individual students.
Inspidea Sdn Bhd director Ooi Kok Hong: ‘We have always wanted to recruit and train new talents and mynext programme provides an additional avenue to source for our talent pool.’
“It increases students’ employability and probability of them working in an environment that they can thrive in.
“While companies can tap into mynext for a credible talent pool that matches industry needs.”
He also added that MySIP employers on mynext can easily identify talents that are compatible as interns within their organisations.
“Since 2017, TalentCorp’s vision for mynext has always been to create a solid bridge between education and future employability, to support the national agenda on graduate employability.
“As part of a holistic approach to talent strategy, we will further improve formulas to propel Malaysia talent,” added Mathew.
“I firmly believe that mynext will open doors for companies to build their talent pipeline and to mould the industry-ready talent that they require.”
Students’ perspective
When 19-year-old Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) student Muhammad Afiq Alias signed up with mynext Talent, he thought the platform was just a normal student’s personality trait application.
“I later realised that the programme also helps me understand and build my character to be better in the future, in any working sector,” he said.
Afiq’s initial impression of mynext Talent was through a TalentCorp representative who introduced him to the YES! programme.
He explained that the real-life situations provided on the platform pinpointed areas where the student needs to improve.
“For example, the programme highlighted that my speaking skills need improvement, similarly my time management skill.
UKM student Nur Nadyra Nakylla Kamarulazman: ‘The opportunities provided on the (mynext) platform are great.’
“Such input helps me develop by learning how to manage time better and speak with more confidence in public. It helps make me a better student and a leader in my community.”
mynext piqued Nur Nadyra Nakylla Kamarulazman’s interest, which led her to immediately register as a user after being introduced to it when attending a programme.
“My experience has been positive as I have recently acquired my internship through this site,” said the 22-year-old Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) student.
“When I first gave it a try, I was not expecting a response. Suddenly I got a call from a company that I thought had a lot of potential and I decided to follow through.”
Nadyra explained that the mynext platform helped her improve my soft skills.
“I think the opportunities provided on the platform are great. If the graduates are good students, they will be served well.
UMT student Muhammad Afiq Alias: ‘(mynext) helps make me a better student and a leader in my community.’
“Its evaluation results will indicate where strengths lie and where one needs to improve, for example communication skills, leadership, teamwork and other intrinsic skills that are required in all fields of work.
She reasoned that the industry today is competitive, so students need to constantly keep themselves updated with new opportunities that can benefit them.
“Another great point is that it also helps students who are yet undecided on which direction to take their career development.”
Both Afiq and Nadyra said they would recommend mynext to friends and family members.
“I believe it can help someone build a more positive character,” said Afiq.
While Nadyra opined: “The competition in today’s industry is high, so students need to always keep themselves updated with new opportunities that can benefit them.”
