THE builders of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are looking to hire about 16,100 local workers with skills in construction and rail, and will embark on a roadshow next month to lure talents.

The Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) and the China Communications Construction (CCC) said in a statement today that they are recruiting local talents to participate in the nation’s largest infrastructure project, to make up about 70% of the required 23,000 vacancies.

“The project seeks to recruit professionals, skilled and general workers as its construction offers job opportunities in engineering and construction, quality assurance and quality control, health, safety, and environment, commercial, public relations, and administration.

“The project stands to generate a workforce of some 23,000 personnel during the peak period of its construction beginning 2021 and the recruitment roadshow will be the ideal platform to stir the interest of Malaysians.”

According to MRL, the recruitment roadshow will first take place in areas positioned along the 223km Dungun to Mentakab mainline.

“It will kick off at the East Coast Mall in Kuantan, Pahang on December 5 to 8. It will continue covering destinations along the ECRL rail network in the east coast states and the Klang Valley throughout next year.”

Candidates can walk-in to register and submit their curriculum vitae for pre-screening at the booths and those with potential will be interviewed on the spot.

An online application is also available at www.ecrl.com.my.

“We also encourage Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia and Sijil Kompetensi Kemahiran certificate holders in the construction field to apply.”

Meanwhile, MRL CEO Darwis Abdul Razak said the ECRL project is optimistic to employ the optimum number of Malaysians.

 “This recruitment roadshow provides an avenue for local talents to truly understand the ECRL project’s scale and the vast job opportunities it presents.

“The project is set to create more jobs for the local community during the construction phase, and an additional 4,000 jobs during its operation and maintenance phase,”

The ECRL rail network will cut travel time and expected to link Kota Baru with Putrajaya in approximately four hours.

The rail line will comprise 20 stations, of which 14 are passenger stations, five are combined passenger and freight stations and one freight station.

In April, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the project cost had been reduced to RM44 billion from RM66 billion, a 32.8% reduction in cost. – November 21, 2019.