KUALA LUMPUR — Most of us are aware that the Social Security Organisation (Socso) – which we contribute a small amount of our salaries to every month – offers workers a safety net for workplace injuries.  

But did you know it also helps prepare you for jobs?

Socso plays a growing role in employment support – particularly for young Malaysians who are still exploring their career options.

“When you ask every kid what is your future occupation, very often we hear ‘I’m going to become an influencer, I’m going to have my own business’,” Gayathri Vadivel, head of Socso’s employment services division, said during the recent World Social Security Forum (WSSF).

To address this, Socso has been actively visiting secondary schools and universities nationwide to raise awareness about the wide range of job opportunities available in Malaysia as well as the emerging trends and in-demand skill sets.

Socso has been doing this under its MYFutureJobs initiatives since 2020. Last year alone, Socso visited over 500 secondary schools.

According to Gayathri, Socso brings its Career Exploration Programme to schools where profiling and psychometric assessments are carried out to help students understand their skillsets, strengths and weaknesses.

Based on its data on jobs in Malaysia, Socso shares possible future career pathways with students and school career counsellors “because they always think – doctor, lawyer, engineer, or nurse or whatever – the standard ones,” she told Malay Mail when met on the sidelines of the WSSF.

“So when we go down to schools, when we share with them, what are the current labour market trends, what are the important skills needed by employers – they wake up, it’s a wake-up call for them,” she explained.

Socso’s MYFutureJobs portal also features a Career Bridge Tool, which provides information on the qualifications that students should pursue based on their strengths and career inclinations.