Geared up and ready for work: TalentCorp’s Career Comeback Networking and Job Fair 2017

We need to encourage women back into the workforce because they offer a different perspective."

Shareen Shariza Dato’ Abdul Ghani, CEO of TalentCorp Malaysia, told the crowd during her opening remarks at the Career Comeback Networking and Job Fair 2017, organised by TalentCorp at the TM Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 29 companies participated, meeting with over 300 women looking to return to the workforce after taking a career break.

Shareen, who has taken two career breaks herself, shared with the audience on the growth of TalentCorp’s Career Comeback Programme as well the importance of championing women rising up in the workforce.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Malaysia climbed from 46.8% in 2010 to 54.3% in 2016. However, the overall workforce gender ration remains at a staggering 60:40 men to women. The 11^th Malaysia Plan, the final five-year plan in the journey towards realising Vision 2020 targets to address this issue with an increase in FLFPR of 59%, and having at least 30% of women representation in decision making roles by the year 2020.

TalentCorp’s Career Comeback Programme was initiated in line with this effort. The Career Comeback Networking and Job Fair 2017, now in its 4^th year, was packed with various activities specially catered for women who are looking to return to work. Participants enjoyed the CV writing workshop by Hanie Bohlender of Dragonfire Academy, and spent time with their CV specialists for one-on-one CV consultations.

She adds, “I came back to work at the age of 39. It is never too late,” reassuring women that opportunities are present and many companies are ever welcoming to leverage on the women talent segment.

Olivia inspired the audience with her story on how she decided to immediately jump back into the corporate world after battling breast cancer. “I wanted to get back on my feet and believe in myself,” said the resilient Olivia, encouraging women to continuously aim for the stars and be focused on their goals.

The TalentCorp Career Comeback Networking and Job Fair 2017 saw a 20% year-on-year increase in the number of employers who offered a variety of job opportunities to women who are ready to come back to work. These forward-thinking companies are prepared with family-friendly policies, strategies, and work arrangements to welcome back women returnees, for a win-win situation that benefits their organisations, and ultimately contribute to the economic growth of the nation.

Watch the event highlights in the video below. You can also find out more about TalentCorp’s Career Comeback Programme here.