KOTA KINABALU: Plans are underway to merge two key job search platforms – the Sabah Jobs Portal (SJP) and MyFutureJobs (MFJ) – to make it easier for job seekers and employers to find each other.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the merger of SJP, run by the Department of Human Resource Development, and MFJ, introduced by the Social Security Organization (Socso), would create job search services more effective, benefiting both employers and potential employees.

“We hope this happens quickly so that job seekers can get up-to-date information and employers can find the right talent,” Hajiji said, adding that the move should help further reduce the unemployment rate of Sabah.

Speaking at the launch of the Soso Mega Madani Career Carnival 2024 here on Saturday (Oct 12), Hajiji noted that as of September 27 this year, Sabah had successfully recorded 7,448 placements.

This milestone marks a significant achievement for the state in its ongoing mission to boost employability through collaboration between government, Socso and other agencies.

However, he noted, many challenges remain, including improving the quality of training and ensuring that the skills provided match the needs of the industry.

“I urge that strategic collaborations continue between the government, educational institutions and the private sector to expand employment opportunities and ensure that Sabah’s workforce is equipped with relevant skills for the future. ‘industry.

“Support from all parties, including government and private agencies, is crucial to reducing unemployment and ensuring equal opportunities for all, based on each person’s talents and skills,” he said.

The state’s Human Capital Development Plan (2021-2035), which focuses on developing relevant skills among youth and ensuring the state’s workforce remains competitive, remains an element key to Sabah’s long-term plan for the state’s growth.

According to Hajiji, the state government will continue to invest in employability programs, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET), to meet the changing needs of the industry.

Efforts under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan are already yielding tangible results, with the economy showing signs of growth and the well-being of the people of Sabah improving.

As a future strategic move, the state has expressed strong support for the establishment of Borneo’s first international standard Socso rehabilitation center, which Hajiji hopes will be implemented soon.

He also demanded that Socso job fairs be extended to small towns and rural areas to create more opportunities for job seekers in the state.

“These events not only stimulate job creation, but also promote an efficient labor market that benefits everyone,” he said.