Talentcorp’s Career Comeback Networking Event Connects Women On Career Breaks With Employers

KUALA LUMPUR: Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp) hosted the Career Comeback Networking event on March 6 at Impiana KLCC Hotel here. This is the first time that such a platform was created to bring together potential women returnees with prospective employers who offer full-time and flexible job opportunities that can assist women in balancing their personal and professional commitments.

Supported by myStarjob.com and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) HEARTS Programme, the initiative supports the Government’s efforts in increasing women’s labour participation to 55% by the year 2015 through attracting and retaining highly qualified women in the workforce.

According to the ACCA-TalentCorp survey on Retaining Women in the Workforce 2013, 93% of the women respondents who were on career breaks considered returning to the workforce. However, 63% of them find it difficult to do so.

“Malaysian employers can play a more active role in attracting women on career breaks to return to the workforce. Those on career breaks may need to be re-trained but they nevertheless represent a pool of talented professionals to be leveraged on, especially in an environment when most employers cite the need for a wider pool of talent to support business growth,” said Johan Mahmood Merican, CEO of TalentCorp.

To support corporate efforts to facilitate women who intend to return to work, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced at Invest Malaysia 2012 the provision of a double tax deduction incentive on training expenditure incurred by companies in re-employing women professionals on career breaks.

Additionally, HRDF has initiated an upskilling programme to ensure returning women are able to make a smooth transition back to the workforce.

Close to 30 companies took part in the Networking event including Accenture Malaysia, Astro, CIMB Group, Dell Malaysia, IBM Malaysia, Malayan Banking Bhd, PwC Malaysia, Royal Selangor, Shell Malaysia, Sunway Group and Taylor’s Education Group.

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