APTT’s pivotal role in Sarawak’s industrial transformation

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): Malaysia’s industrial future is being redefined under the National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), a bold national roadmap that envisions a high-value, technology-driven economy powered by innovation, sustainability and skilled talent.

The success of NIMP 2030 depends not only on policy and investment, but also on the strength of its human capital.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) plays a central role in driving the National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) as the lead coordinating ministry.

MITI is responsible for shaping industrial policies, mobilising public and private sector investments while ensuring alignment across ministries and agencies to deliver the plan’s ambitions.

Under NIMP 2030, MITI focuses on advancing high-value manufacturing, accelerating technology adoption, strengthening supply chains and developing future-ready talent.

The ministry also oversees implementation through targeted initiatives, performance tracking and industry engagement to ensure Malaysia’s transition towards a more resilient, sustainable and innovation-driven industrial economy.

This is where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education play a pivotal role.

TVET and STEM produce the hands-on experts and engineers capable of adapting their ideas into real-world applications.

These fields represent smart, future-proof career paths that bridge classroom learning with practical, high-value industrial applications.

Association of Professional Technicians & Technologists (APTT) Sarawak chairman, Ahmad Zawawi Kasmin, said the implementation of NIMP 2030 aligns closely with the aspirations of Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030).

“Sarawak is in a very strategic position to capitalise on the industrial transformation under NIMP 2030. Both NIMP 2030 and PCDS 2030 share the same goal which is to develop a high-value economy driven by technology, digitalisation and green energy,” he said.

“We already have a strong foundation in the energy, manufacturing and natural resources sectors. The next step is to build local talent who can lead and innovate in future industries.”

He said APTT fully supports the Sarawak government’s initiative to produce at least 10,000 professional technologists and technicians by 2030. This effort is crucial to ensure that the local workforce is well-prepared to face the fast-evolving wave of new technologies.

APTT also serves as a key bridge between industry and the technical workforce through training, professional certification and continuous development programmes.

Priority training areas include digital construction, the Internet of Things (IoT), renewable energy and industrial safety, which are all aligned with current global market needs.

TVET and STEM are the backbone of emerging sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs); Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and advanced materials.

For example, in the EV field, expertise in charging systems, batteries and energy safety is highly sought after. For CCUS, skills in instrumentation and carbon gas monitoring play a key role.

“Therefore, the TVET curriculum must be more flexible and adaptable to real industry developments. This dynamic approach ensures that TVET graduates remain relevant and up to date with global technological progress,” he emphasized.

To overcome the skilled labour shortage in Sarawak, APTT actively collaborates with education and training institutions such as International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (iCATS) University College, Sarawak Skills, Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), as well as with local industries.

“We work closely with these institutions and local industry partners to design training programmes that meet real market needs,” said Ahmad Zawawi.

Recognising that public perception of TVET remains a major challenge, APTT also conducts awareness campaigns and outreach programmes at educational institutions to highlight the wide career prospects in this field.

Careers as technologists or technicians not only offer attractive incomes but also allow young people to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Through professional recognition from the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), they gain added value that makes them more competitive in the job market.

The collaborative approach between industry, APTT and educational institutions is also key to talent development success.

Beyond training and skills development, APTT actively signs memoranda of understanding (MoU) with institutions and industries both locally and abroad to provide exposure to the latest technologies.

“APTT now covers 24 professional fields under MBOT, forming a strong network of expertise that supports Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 and Malaysia’s NIMP 2030 agendas,” Ahmad Zawawi  said.

The main challenges faced by Sarawak’s technical workforce include specific skill gaps, lack of modern equipment and unequal competency standards.

Therefore, strong government support is vital in providing high-tech training centres, industry-based training grants and digital infrastructure development in rural areas.

Looking ahead, APTT envisions Sarawak as Malaysia’s Green Energy and Digital Economy Industrial Hub.

“With our strengths in renewable energy, smart industries and local talent, Sarawak can be a model for other states in implementing a green economy,” Ahmad Zawawi concluded.

APTT’s role remains vital in ensuring that Sarawak’s technical talents not only keep pace with change while also leading the transformation towards 2030, aligned with the aspirations of NIMP 2030 and PCDS 2030.