SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — Employers have been urged to create more inclusive job opportunities for vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs), by assessing candidates based on their abilities, skills and potential rather than solely on their physical limitations.
State human resources executive councillor Papparaidu Veraman said PWDs could become productive employees if provided with suitable working environments, reasonable accommodations and employer support.
He said vulnerable groups should not be viewed merely as recipients of assistance, as they also had the potential to contribute to the state's economic development.
"Vulnerable groups are not merely aid recipients. They are part of the workforce and partners in the state's development, with the potential to contribute to Selangor's progress," he said.
He said this in his speech at the launch of the JobCare Istimewa Selangor 2026 Career Carnival, officiated by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre here yesterday.
Papparaidu said the carnival, which focused on vulnerable groups, offered 3,568 job vacancies through the participation of 40 employers from various sectors.
Of the total, 1,603 positions were targeted at Orang Asli, followed by veterans (1,333), PWDs (472) and senior citizens (160).
A total of 2,854 positions, or 80 per cent, were based in Selangor, while the remaining 714 involved placements outside the state.
In terms of remuneration, 2,102 positions, or 59 per cent, offered salaries below RM2,500, while 1,466 positions, or 41 per cent, offered salaries above RM2,500.
The one-day carnival also featured job opportunities with salaries ranging from RM5,000 to RM12,999, including positions in management, technical fields and engineering.
The manufacturing sector accounted for the highest number of vacancies at 1,872 positions, or 52.46 per cent, followed by transportation and storage (794), retail and sales (553), and other services (349).
Papparaidu said efforts to expand employment opportunities must go hand in hand with skills enhancement and human capital development to help people earn better incomes and build sustainable careers.
He said the success of a career carnival should not be measured solely by the number of participating employers or vacancies offered, but also by how many jobseekers successfully secured and retained employment.
"The Selangor government will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) through MYFutureJobs, employers and relevant agencies to ensure more people, particularly those from vulnerable groups, have access to suitable employment opportunities," he said.
