State sets realistic goal on highly skilled workforce

KUCHING: The state government hopes 30-40 per cent of the workforce in Sarawak will be highly skilled by the year 2030.

Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah said among the platforms that could catalyse the realisation of this aspiration are programmes such as the Advanced Sustainable Technology International Conference (ASTECH Sarawak) 2024.

“We have about six years to achieve the ideal national target set in PCDS 2030, which is to produce 60 per cent of the workforce with high skills.

“However, for us in Sarawak, realistically, we aim and are confident to produce 30 per cent or 40 per cent of this highly skilled workforce,” he said at a press conference for the upcoming programme here today (July 9).

“This workforce includes those who not only possess technical, vocational, education and training (TVET) skills but also pure science.

“Targeting individuals with a background and expertise solely in pure science might be somewhat challenging; thus, we are introducing various programmes to attract these students,” he added.

On the conference, Sagah said the idea behind hosting ASTECH Sarawak 2024 is to assemble aspirations from different aspects such as academics, scholars, researchers, industry experts and policymakers.

“The conference will promote a vibrant environment for research and innovation, prompting participants to investigate cutting-edge technologies in engineering, technology, sciences,

“In line with the principles of Industry Revolution 4.0 (I.R.4.0), workforce future-proofing, and socio-economic sustainability, ASTECH Sarawak Conference 2024 is sent to advance these crucial areas.

“Hence, a platform needed to be established for professionals where they can create space for sharing ideas, discussing important issues and exchanging successful strategies,” he said.

“The conference see 170 research paper presentations from seven countries, with a common adjective, which is fostering research and innovation for the sustainable development of TVET, thus creating pathways for a resilient future.”

Also present during the conference were Deputy Ministers Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.