Shell LINK boost for Sabah's skilled workforce

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s workforce has received a skilled manpower boost with 62 locals completing their Shell-certified welding industrial training here.

They completed the Projek LINK (Latihan Industri Kimpalan) course and received their certificates in a graduation ceremony at Likas Vocational College (KV Likas) here on Friday (Dec 8).

Organised by Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SSPC) in collaboration with the college, this programme sees graduates leaving with international-standard welding skills.

SSPC general manager Wong Kim Mun said the company was committed to producing a skilled workforce of qualified and competent welders for heavy industries such as oil and gas, shipping, construction and energy in Sabah through this initiative.

“I am delighted to see all our graduates today and extend my heartiest congratulations to each of them.

“I am proud of SSPC’s long-standing partnership with KV Likas, which has enabled our efforts in contributing to the development of employment opportunities and creating internationally sought talent,” he said.

Wong said this initiative also empowers the economic growth of Sabah's local communities while supporting the state government’s initiative to drive human capital development in the oil and gas sector.

He said since 2019, SSPC has contributed RM450,000 to Projek LINK, which has produced 76 graduates who are employed not just locally but abroad as well.

Wong said Projek LINK was also an example of a synergistic partnership between the private and public sectors towards human capital development.

It is aimed at helping students who face financial and academic challenges to upskill themselves while addressing the demand for skilled and trained workers in the oil and gas industry, he added.

Besides Sabah, Projek LINK is also run in Miri and Bintulu, Sarawak.

Shell Malaysia collaborates with both Kolej Vokasional Miri (KV Miri) and Kolej Vokasional Bintulu (KV Bintulu) respectively to run the programme for youth there.

Earlier, KV Likas director Mokhtar Ibrahim expressed his confidence in their graduates and said they would be future leaders well-equipped to raise the field to a higher level.

“It is our hope that more youths in Sabah will have good welding abilities and career opportunities,” he said.