HRMARS - This case study examines the Career Fair 2025 held at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Johor Branch, located in a rural area of Malaysia. The event aimed to improve employability among graduates and the wider community by providing direct interaction between job seekers and employers. Despite 17 employers participating and 662 vacancies, only 35 of 165 attendees secured immediate job placements, exposing a significant gap between graduate readiness and employer expectations. The study pinpoints key contributing factors, including limited practical experience, underdeveloped soft skills, and challenges specific to rural settings. It further discusses necessary interventions by universities, employers, and policymakers, such as career readiness workshops, internships, and stronger university-industry collaborations. This case study offers valuable insights into the real-world challenges of employability, allowing students to assess organisational and policy responses and propose actionable solutions to bridge the education-to-employment gap in less developed regions.
Vijayakumaran et al. (Thu,) studied this question.