Local youth urges to turn skills into businesses, not just jobs

MIRI: Sarawak’s young people should look beyond securing jobs and turn their technical skills into businesses, income and employment opportunities for others, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development II (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat said today (Sept 19).

He said rapid technological change, including artificial intelligence and automation, was reshaping the labour market, making adaptability, continuous learning and entrepreneurship increasingly important for young people.

“Don’t go home today with just one idea. Go home with one action,” Ripin said when officiating the ‘Bicara Ilmu Belia Koperasi: Daripada Kemahiran Kepada…’ programme at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) Miri here.

His call comes as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) continues to show strong employment outcomes.

Ministry of Higher Education data for 2025 showed that 54,893 of 57,244 TVET graduates were employed, representing a graduate employment rate of 95.9 per cent.

In Sarawak, TVET graduate job placements also increased from 7,890 in 2023 to more than 12,800 in 2025, according to data from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) cited by the Sarawak Government.

Ripin said the figures showed that technical skills remained highly relevant to industry, but young people should not limit themselves to becoming job seekers.

“Industry will always need technicians, skilled workers and competent professionals. At the same time, the experience and skills built through TVET can also become a foundation for entrepreneurship,” he said.

He said young people must be prepared for a labour market where jobs, business models and industry requirements could change rapidly.

“The advantage of a young person is not only the certificate or skills they possess, but their ability to continue learning, adapt and apply those skills in changing circumstances,” he said.

Ripin also encouraged greater youth participation in the cooperative sector, saying it could provide a practical platform for young people to pool resources, skills and expertise while developing businesses collectively.

He said the cooperative sector remained largely dominated by older generations despite the opportunities available to younger people.

“There are many opportunities for young people, but perhaps they lack confidence, or they do not yet have sufficient knowledge and understanding of how the cooperative system works,” he said.

He noted that cooperatives could be established with a minimum of 20 members, with relevant agencies providing training, guidance and other support.

Sarawak, he added, offered opportunities across sectors including agriculture, livestock, industry, transport and retail.

Ripin also highlighted the Sarawak Youth StartUp initiative as part of efforts to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to move from skills development into entrepreneurship.

He stressed that success required determination and resilience, with no shortcut to building a sustainable business.

“Do not give up easily. Try and try again,” he said.

Ripin commended the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia (IKMa), Sarawak Zone and Miri branch, and IKBN Miri for their collaboration in organising the programme.

He urged participants to translate what they had learned into action by building experience, expanding their networks and actively pursuing opportunities.

“Today the programme ends, but your journey to build your future has only just begun,” he said.