Better career options and salaries are pull factors

PETALING JAYA: Career options and salaries are two pull factors drawing people from other states to relocate to the Klang Valley, or even abroad.

Many still choose to flock to places where they have better chances of scoring better-paid jobs that match their field of study.

A Penangite from George Town said it is impossible to find suitable jobs in his hometown that fit his experience and qualification.

“A project manager position in the construction industry in Penang is only available for fresh graduates or high-level positions, with 10 to 15 years of experience,” said the former managing consultant who only wanted to be known as Joe.

Searching for a mid-level position in Singapore has also been a struggle for the 29-year-old.

“I’ve been to four interviews in Singapore, but they would only offer an entry level salary of S$2,400 (RM7,244), which to me, is not enough for the cost of living in that country is high.

“I’ve been searching for a job ever since I was retrenched in June last year and I will continue to look for a suitable job in the Klang Valley,” said Joe, who has been living in KL over the past five years.

For Perak-born Mohd Ikbal Hafiz, his career in the aviation industry started at an aviation company based at the Subang Royal Malaysian Police Air Wing Unit.

“I started working at SAS 16 years ago and I’ve never regretted my decision to move here although it means living far away from my family,” said the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) graduate.

While his wife and three kids live in Kedah, the 37-year-old feels they are in safe hands living close to his in-laws.

He travels to see them twice a month, or at every chance he gets.

“For someone finding a job in aircraft maintenance 16 years ago, it was easier to demand a higher salary due to the shortage of skilled workers”, he said, noting the growing number of graduates in the field.

“More universities are offering courses related to Airframe and Powerplant and it has become more competitive for graduates to find jobs in the industry,” he said.

With narrowing salary and professional growth, Ikbal said most of his friends in the industry chose to pursue higher paid prospects in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Faizal Hafzan’s move to Kajang was mainly to provide a comfortable life for him and his family.

Working as a mechanic in the city has allowed the 36-year-old to send more money back home, especially for his two girls who are in primary school.

“My family is in Kuala Kangsar but I plan to bring them here as soon as I am able to buy a house in Kajang.

“I have been working at a car servicing centre for almost three years and earn more than RM2,800 a month, which is a 50% hike from the salary I received while working in Ipoh,” he said.

The father of two currently lives in a hostel provided by his company, which enables him to save more for his family.

“On top of the higher salary, I get to expand my skills by solving more complex engine problems.

“While in Ipoh, I was only doing regular car maintenance at a small workshop,” Faizal said.

Source: TheStar