Malaysia Q1 job outlook index up

The Job Outlook Index, as measured by JobStreet.com, looks at the expectations of job growth (or employment prospects) in the industries on a quarterly basis.

A higher index means that the industries are creating jobs and employment, while a lower index means the reverse with lesser jobs on offer.

For the First Quarter of 2012, the Job Outlook Index registered 55 points, which was a 6-point rise from 49 points of the preceding quarter.

Job Growth or Employment Prospects: For the First Quarter of 2012, 43 per cent of the respondents felt that the general job outlook would be slightly better or much better for the next 12 months, which constituted a rise from the previous quarter’s 31 percent who answered similarly.

Another 29 per cent said it will remain the same, while the remaining 28 per cent felt it could be slightly worse or much worse.

Comparison with 1Q2011: According to the respondents, 43 per cent forecasted that the job outlook for 2012 in the first quarter will be slightly better or much better. However there was a 12-point drop from 55 per cent who answered similarly last year.

Another 29 per cent felt that the job outlook will remain the same for the First Quarter of 2012, which was the same with 2011.

The remaining 28 per cent of respondents stated that employment prospects will get slightly worse or much worse, a hike of 12-point from the 16 per cent who had the similar sentiment in the same period last year.- Bernama