High-tech sector of Sarawak high skill demand

KUCHING, 6 Oct: The development of high-tech sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor and space industry is expected to increase demand for highly skilled talent in Sarawak.

Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) Chief Executive Officer, Dato Ir Ts Sudarnoto Osman, said talent development must move along with high-tech economic growth to meet industry needs.

"Semiconductors require highly skilled individuals, as well as the AI industry and space sector that requires different skill sets.

"In this high-tech economy, we need highly skilled talent", he said in an exclusive interview with TVS here today.

He said SDEC is also working with higher education institutions to provide industrial exposure to students in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, additive printing and technology transformation.

At the same time, SDEC supports researchers and start-ups through dismantling programs, prototype development, startup subsidies as well as access to industry and investors.

He said the approach aims to create a path from research to commercialization, in addition to helping startups grow their businesses.

However, Sudarnoto said that local talent development takes time, so the Nomad Digital programme is also being used to meet skilled energy needs in the short term.

He believes that the presence of external talent not only helps to meet industry needs, but also gives local talent opportunities to network and share knowledge.

"By bringing in external talent, we not only meet the needs of industry but at the same time provide opportunities for local talent to learn, network and share knowledge", he said.