Liwan (third left) presenting a Malaysian Skills Certificate to Martin Ulok (second right) while (from left) Mohamad Abu Bakar, Baharudin, Doris and Abdul Aziz look on. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The state government will make skills training its priority to meet the increasing demand for skilled workforce in local industries, says Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing.
Citing Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) as an example, he said the industries there would require a big pool of skilled and semi-skilled workforce, with priority of employment given to local people.
Liwan (left) appreciating an exhibit when visiting an exhibition put up by the students of PPKS and i-CATS. Accompanying him are Baharudin (second left) and Doris (third left).
“SCORE will provide extensive employment opportunities and we are giving priority for the local people to become competent skilled workforce that is comparable to the talents from the developed countries,” he said.
Masing said this at the Malaysian Skills Certificate presentation ceremony and handing-over of 1Malaysia laptops contributed by Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang to students sponsored by Bakun Trust Fund (BTF) at Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS), here, yesterday.
His text of speech was read by Liwan, who is also Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage as well as BTF Skills Education Committee chairman.
During the ceremony, 17 BTF-sponsored PPKS students received their Malaysian Skills Certificates and 115 BTF-sponsored students, studying in various local institutions of higher learning including in PPKS and i-CATS, received their 1Malaysia laptops.
Masing, who presented the educational assistance agreement from BTF to the students on Nov 22, 2012, said he was proud of the achievements of those who received their certificates yesterday.
“I’m very proud with all your achievements and I believe that the assistance provided to you the other day was very helpful. It is our hope that all of you will make full use of the assistance to excel in your
studies.”
He said the assistance, which is only given to outstanding students from Belaga, was not only in the form of monetary aid but also laptops to help the students in doing their assignments.
“With the sponsorship from BTF and laptops provided, the students do not have to worry about anything. They only have to focus and do their best in their studies.”
Masing also took the opportunity to thank PPKS and i-CATS for their commitment to provide skills training in technical and vocational fields.
Meanwhile, PPKS executive chairman Datuk Baharudin Abdullah expressed confidence that PPKS and i-CATS graduates were competent and able to meet the requirements of the industries, especially in SCORE.
“PPKS and I-CATS are ready to assist the country generally, and the state government particularly in providing education and training in skills, technical and vocational fields especially for the development of SCORE.”
Among those present were PPKS and i-CATS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain, Dewan Negara deputy speaker Senator Datuk Doris Sophia Brodie and Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, who is also BTF treasurer