SUNGAI SIPUT: Two siblings from Pos Iskandar, Bera, Pahang, undertook a journey of approximately 400 kilometres to attend the Madani Orang Asli Career Carnival for Perak 2024, held at the Dewan Pandak Hamid Orang Asli One-Stop Centre (OAOSC) in Bawong on Saturday.
Norsuhaida Ripin, 26, and her younger sister, Norsuhaila, 24, made this decision after realising that the event, organised by the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa), offered opportunities for Orang Asli youths to apply for positions in the public service.
Norsuhaida explained that she couldn't miss such an opportunity, particularly as a graduate of the Vocational College Muadzam Shah, Pahang, who has been unemployed since leaving her job at a factory in May.
Despite consistently applying for public service positions online, she has yet to secure a role.
"Besides my sister, I travelled here with three of our cousins from Gombak, Selangor. I've submitted applications through the Public Service Commission (SPA) portal every year, but so far, I've only managed to reach the psychometric test stage.
"Perhaps, with my presence here this time, I might finally secure a public service position," she said when met at the event, which was officiated by Perak Executive Councillor for Rural Development, Plantations, Agriculture, and Food Industries, Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, representing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The career carnival was organised by Jakoa and attended by approximately 2,000 participants who were mainly from Perak and focused exclusively on the Orang Asli community.
It was the first time the event was held in Perak and featured participation from the commission.
Also present were Jakoa director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor and SPA chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zolkafly, who is also the Lintang assemblyman, said the carnival aimed to encourage the Orang Asli community to apply for public service positions and to open their minds to opportunities and benefits in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
He added that the programme offered participants briefings and consultation sessions about careers and TVET training programmes, especially as Perak is projected to generate 100,000 job opportunities by 2030 through several large-scale industrial projects in the state.
"Within the state development plan, Perak Sejahtera 2030, TVET plays a crucial role, particularly in providing job opportunities for the younger generation, including the Orang Asli community.
"The establishment of new industrial areas by the Perak government, such as in Kerian, Lumut, and Tanjung Malim, highlights the need for the youth to fill the job market, which is expected to reach nearly 100,000 by 2030.
"This means that even if they are not successful in their SPA applications, they still have the opportunity to join TVET programmes and secure employment, even if they do not have the chance to attend university, to meet the demands of these industries," he said.
Meanwhile, Sapiah, in her speech, expressed Jakoa's appreciation for SPA and the Perak Youth Aspiration Centre (Pasak) as co-organisers of the carnival, noting that their efforts effectively encouraged Orang Asli youths to apply for public service positions by providing valuable information.
She said the carnival demonstrated the federal and state government's commitment to providing a platform for Orang Asli youths, especially graduates seeking job opportunities, to learn more about various career fields through agency exhibitions.