Sarawak targets 30 pct skilled workforce by 2030 to build knowledge economy

Sagah (seated front row, third right) in a group photo with other guests and participants.

By Tedong Rantayy

MIRI, Oct 14: Sarawak is intensifying efforts to build a skilled workforce, aiming for 30 per cent or 500,000 skilled workers by 2030.

This goal aligns with the State’s aspirations to become a high-value, knowledge-based economy, said Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD), Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

Speaking at a briefing on Sarawak’s workforce, jointly organised by MEITD and Sarawak Skills today in Miri, Sagah highlighted the initiatives undertaken to achieve this target.

One such effort is the Industry Continuous Professional Development (ICPD) Programme, which was held in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, and Lawas this year.

“The programme aims to enhance technical skills and foster collaboration between government institutions and industries,” he said.

The initiative attracted 100 participants from various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services, along with representatives from private and Sarawak-owned institutions.

In addition to ICPD, the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair was organised to provide information on education financial aid, boost employability, and inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among students.

Sagah emphasised the importance of such programmes in preparing Sarawak’s youth for the future workforce which is evolving rapidly, with new technology reshaping industries, improving productivity, and creating opportunities in emerging sectors.

“A modern workforce is critical for Sarawak’s economic transformation, which is why workforce data analysis has become essential. Information regarding demographics, retirement eligibility, recruitment, and retention is now being captured through the Sarawak Workforce Information System (SWIS),” the minister added.

Sarawak’s workforce has been instrumental in driving progress across key sectors like agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and services.

According to the latest Labour Force Survey Report by Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Sarawak recorded a labour force participation rate of 69 per cent, in line with the national average.

However, the region faces challenges in sustaining a competitive workforce, particularly as it seeks to become a knowledge-driven economy.

“Our Ministry is a key enabler in the State’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030),” Sagah said, outlining the ministry’s vision to increase Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment by 20 per cent, reduce unemployment by 1.2 per cent, and boost science enrollment by 40 per cent by 2025.

The ministry also proposes a State Talent Policy, which aims to attract and retain talent in alignment with Sarawak’s 2030 goals. This policy calls for collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure the State’s workforce meets the needs of critical industries.

The minister also pointed to Sarawak’s emerging sectors, particularly in renewable energy and biotechnology, as key areas for workforce development.

Sarawak is positioning itself as a hub for ASEAN’s green economy, with increasing demand for technical expertise in fields like microelectronics and maritime.

“Training centres like Sarawak Skills and CENTEXS (Centre for Technology Excellence) are crucial in equipping Sarawakians with the competencies required to meet these demands,”Sagah said.

Empowering young Sarawakians with technical skills remains a core focus for MEITD.

Despite a slight drop in the number of skilled workers from 23 per cent in 2021 to 21 per cent in 2022, institutions like Sarawak Skills and CENTEXS are working to reverse this trend by offering training courses that ensure workers possess at least SKM Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.

The event was also attended by Adana Jed, Permanent Secretary of MEITD, and Roziana Abdul Rahman, Senior Executive of Programme and Studies at Sarawak Skills Miri Campus. — DayakDaily