Education, technology must drive Sabah’s workforce development

KOTA KINABALU (March 9): Sabah must align labour market development with advancements in education, technology and innovation to ensure the state is able to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of future industries.

Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said strengthening the labour market should not be viewed solely as an employment issue but must be addressed holistically through talent development, technological mastery and an education system that responds to industry needs.

“If education, technology and labour market strategies move in tandem, Sabah will not only be able to strengthen its labour market but also has the potential to emerge as a hub for talent and innovation in the Borneo region,” he said.

He said this when officiating at the Sabah State Labour Market Strengthening Action Plan 2026 workshop organised by the federal Ministry of Human Resources in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) here last Friday.

According to James, building a strong talent ecosystem requires strategic cooperation between the state government, the federal government, educational institutions and industry players to ensure that policies and talent development programmes are implemented in an integrated manner.

In this regard, the Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry is focusing on strengthening high-technology training, advancing innovation development and expanding internet access and digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

He also described the data-driven labour market planning approach through the MYFutureJobs platform as a positive step in strengthening labour market analysis and improving job matching.

James added that aligning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with industry needs, implementing reskilling and upskilling programmes and encouraging active employer participation in training development are among the key measures to ensure Sabah graduates possess the technological skills required by the job market.

Also present was Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, who delivered the closing remarks at the workshop session. Datuk Asri Abdul Rahman, chief of the Employment Insurance System Office at Perkeso, was also in attendance.