Skill training must be in sync, first the needs of employment

BINTULU, 20 September: Talent development must be planned ahead to anticipate skills and manpower needs that come with Sarawak's economic growth.

Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the approach is essential to ensure that local talent is prepared to seize opportunities arising from new industrial development and investment.

"This is why my ministry started the TalentPath Sarawak program. Through strategic cooperation with TVET MARA and Sarawak Skills, participants were equipped with practical skills relevant to industry as well as meeting current and future labour needs.

"As the industry grows and new investments flow into Sarawak, we must ensure that our local talent is ready to seize the opportunities created. Talent development should not only start after jobs are created, but should anticipate the skills and labor needs present alongside Sarawak's economic growth", he said.

He said this while addressing the Sarawak TalentPath 2026 Bintulu Series Launch Meeting at Imperial Bintulu Hotel, today.

He said Sarawak should ensure that local talent has the competencies and skills needed to seize opportunities from high-value investments and new industrial development.

He said TalentPath Sarawak 2026 provides industry-related subsidized training and certification to enhance marketable participants as well as prepare them for the demands of modern workplaces.

"Our objective is not just to produce more graduates for training, but to develop individuals who are competent, certified and ready for employment", he said.

He said that the approach to skill development should also be aligned with real demands of industries including oil and gas, petrochemical, energy, construction as well as heavy industry.

Meanwhile, he said an additional RM500,000 was approved to expand skills training opportunities to 63 participants through the Train and Place (T&P) approach to enable more participants to take industry-related courses to increase marketability as well as employment opportunities.

"They will take five industry related courses at TVETMARA Bintulu, the Malaysian Academy of Construction (ABM) Sarawak Region and Pelita Maslaut Sdn. Bhd., to equip them with the necessary skills to increase market viability and get jobs", he said.

According to him, the additional allocation extends skills training benefits to participants taking courses oriented towards industrial needs.

He said MEITD received an allocation of RM2 million from the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM) to implement Skills Training Program under the Special Programme Bumiputera Sarawak (PKB), which benefited 156 participants.

The five courses offered through TalentPath Sarawak 2026 are Mechanical Fitter, Pipe Fitter, Painting & Blasting, Single Phase Wiring and Harvesting Specialist.

The programme uses the Train and Place approach by bringing together governments, training institutions and industry partners to provide training in line with labour market needs. - TVS