Rush for AirAsia jobs at fair

Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (left) chatting with some job-seekers at the Ministry of Human Resources' job placement fair in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: It would seem that AirAsia Bhd is not only a hit with air travellers, but also a hot favourite among job seekers as well.

Within hours of the opening of its booth at the Ministry of Human Resources' job placement fair here yesterday, 103 youths had applied for 34 ramp agent jobs.

The youths were willing to run 500m and hoist 20kg of weights just to get an interview for a job which includes handling baggage and pushing aircraft.

Ramp manager S. Hamid Mohd Yusof, who handled the stream of enthusiastic youths, mostly in their early 20s, said AirAsia held the physical test to see how serious the applicants were.

"The job is tough and requires great commitment. For one who is serious, it can be a rewarding career with good prospects to move up the ranks in AirAsia."


Hamid said many youths were interested in joining AirAsia due to the glamour of its brand.

Mohd Hafiz Mohammad, 24, from Nilai in Negri Sembilan, who qualified for an interview, said he had no problem completing the running and weightlifting tests.



Another youth was seen trying to persuade Hamid to give him a chance to try out for the job although he did not have a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia certificate, which is the minimum requirement.

V. Anbarasan and S. Vasu, both 26, were also unlucky as they did not have a Maybank ATM card which was another requirement for those wishing to be included in the interview.



Thousands flocked to the fair where a total of 8,530 jobs in Kuala Lumpur were on offer.

Among those seen busy filling up the registration forms was Mohd Faisal Masran, 26.

"I graduated from Universiti Utara Malaysia with a degree in Business Information Technology in January."

S. Rajindran, 46, who was retrenched from a tour and travel company four months ago, hoped to get a job as a driver.

The father of two said he had been searching unsuccessfully for work to support his family after being retrenched.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who opened the fair, said if Malaysians were not choosy, they would have no problem finding work.

"There are 20 employers and 14 training providers participating in today's fair.

"In Kuala Lumpur, at present, there are 6,392 jobs, including 2,000 for graduates, for which training will be provided.

"There are another 2,138 jobs, including 670 for graduates, available for direct intake."



In Alor Star, heavy rain which lasted about two hours did nothing to prevent some 4,000 job seekers from attending a mini-career exposition yesterday.

The one-day long exposition, held at SK Tuan Haji Ismail, was organised by the Kuala Kedah Umno division and state Labour Department.

A total of 22 companies were there to fill 2,000 vacancies.