Ministry working on meeting demand for talent

KUCHING: Much emphasis is being put on talent development given the skilled manpower needs of the state going forward.

Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah said his ministry is concerned about the need for skilled manpower in the state.

“Thus, my ministry has and is currently planning various programmes and activities including synergistic engagement sessions involving industry, local educational institutions and stakeholders to meet current skilled manpower needs,” he said.

“The main goal is to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled industrial workers.

“Achievement by reducing the supply-demand gap will certainly bring more job opportunities to the people of Sarawak,” he said.

He said this during the launching of  the Sarawak Career and Training Fair 2023 (S-CaT Fair 2023)at Wisma Sabati here today.

Therefore, he said it is very important to ensure local youth or job seekers can be marketed in terms of knowledge, skill and ability.

“If they are equipped with the knowledge, skill and ability required by industry, of course they will be able to do the work offered better, more effectively and the work done will certainly have a great impact on their lives as well as employers, which will ultimately contribute to the economic development of Sarawak in general,” he said.

Sagah said that to overcome the lack of supply in skilled manpower, higher education institutions and training institutions need to work closely with the relevant industry and government agencies to produce a workforce that meets market demand.

Meanwhile, according to Deputy Minister of Urban Planning Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh the SCaT Fair is a platform for all levels of society to find careers and education based on the digital economy.

“This year we were able to hold SCaT fair after three years of delaying the organisatuon of this programme due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, hoping to organise it on a bigger scale in future.