Sagah: PolyCC grads key to reinforcing IR 4.0 workforce

KUCHING (Sept 9): Graduates from Sarawak Polytechnic and community colleges (PolyCC) are regarded as playing a key role in addressing the workforce needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).

In stating this, Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said those graduating from these institutions have recorded very high employability rate, at over 90 per cent, for three consecutive years.

“This proves that polytechnic and community college graduates are consistently in demand, and meeting the needs of employers.

“The sceptical view of those studying at these colleges is gradually fading, with more parents now encouraging their children to pursue TVET (technical and vocational education and training) as the preferred educational pathway,” he said.

Sagah said this in a speech at the second session of the Sarawak Zone PolyCC Convocation Ceremony 2024 at Dewan Jubli Perak of Politeknik Kuching yesterday, read by his deputy minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.

Adding on, Sagah pointed out that those coming out from polytechnic and community colleges contributed 40 per cent of the nation’s technical workforce as of last year.

In this regard, he emphasised TVET as a priority for Sarawak in its goal of becoming a high-income economy by 2030.

“The state government is working towards expanding the access to quality TVET and strengthening the collaboration with industries in ensuring that graduates possess the relevant skills to remain competitive in the job market.”

Sagah also highlighted the PolyCC sector’s focus on encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among the students, providing training that would empower its graduates in generating income and creating jobs, so as to benefit the community and Sarawak’s economy.