Kuala Lumpur, 12th February 2020- Future Leaders Internship Program (FLIP), a local student consulting firm, aims to address youth unemployment, skills mismatch and career misdirection by providing high school students with insights into their future careers early on.
Unemployed youth make up almost 60 per cent of the 504,000 currently unemployed population in Malaysia. A mismatch of graduate qualifications with the country’s workforce needs has contributed to unemployment rates, potentially further exacerbated by students enrolling in courses that are misaligned with market needs.
“The demands of the current working world are evolving, and students need to be better equipped to be creative, adaptable, and able to anticipate and manage change. FLIP aims to develop career mindsets and career skills in youths by engaging them in various career conversations and programs before they begin university. This will help them plan better for their higher education, and ultimately secure jobs within their field when they join the workforce,” explains Alpa Shah, Founder and Director of FLIP.
Believing that the modern workforce requires students to perform beyond academic means, FLIP also aims to provide students with transferable skills to ensure they always remain viable in the 21st century marketplace. These skills are necessary in ensuring that students are adaptable and can evolve to match the rapid changes across all industries. With that in mind, FLIP’s coaching programs assist students in charting their career journey, identifying strengths and weaknesses, matching talents with career expectations and addressing potential concerns when they arise.
Moreover, students will have access to internship placement opportunities with over 80 FLIP corporate partners. Obtaining real world work experience at the secondary school level gives students an advantage as most internship programs today begin when they are already in college or university. This early exposure is valuable as it will give them a bigger head start in making informed career decisions following their secondary education. Through these internships, students are given the opportunity to broaden their understanding of their chosen careers, find valuable mentorships, and expand their network. With real world work experience, they also gain a competitive edge when applying for universities as admissions become more selective every year.
On that note, a university application which stands out is vital as institutions receive numerous submissions every year. FLIP aims to help students add value to their applications by providing intensive support in aptitude tests, interview skills, personal statements and standardized evaluations. Through intensive training and workshops, students will be able to better prepare themselves as they enter university.
As the road to a successful career often varies from student to student, individual attention and guidance is necessary. To fulfil this, FLIP’s services extend to bespoke consultation for institutions and students requiring a customized approach to career preparation.
“Career coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Students have different strengths, weaknesses, and passions. The trick is to unlock each student’s potential through clear roadmaps, strategic guidance and real-world experiences,” adds Alpa.
With projections that Malaysia will become a high-income nation by 2023[1], it is necessary to match the skills of our graduates with industry requirements to create a robust local workforce. Understanding this, FLIP continues to focus its efforts on working with educational institutions around Malaysia to create career-oriented, highly adaptable students who will determine the success of our nation’s future.
