MIRI, Aug 22: Fifteen youths from Kapit completed their course in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and were awarded diplomas at a convocation ceremony at Fajar International College in Miri recently.
Funded under Sarawak Energy’s Baleh Skills Training Programme, this group is from the first batch of 20 graduates in the OSH diploma course this year, with the remaining five expected to complete their studies in November.
The Baleh Skills Training Programme was introduced in 2016 to enhance opportunities for residents of Baleh and Kapit to tap into business and employment as a result of the development of the Baleh Hydroelectric project.
One outstanding student, Sharyon Beraoh, made it to the Dean’s list.
“I am very proud to have made the Dean’s list. Coming from Sarawak’s interior and making it to college has inspired me to think differently with a new perspective and hope for the future. I have passed this important hurdle in my life, and I am ready for the next challenge,” she said.
Meanwhile, her coursemate Biagio Andrew said, “I am very thankful for this learning opportunity under the Baleh Skills Training Programme. Thank you, Sarawak Energy, for supporting my education journey.”
The initiative targets to equip youths in the Baleh and Kapit areas with the necessary skills to benefit from the Baleh HEP through a structured competency development programme.
To date, 708 youths have undergone and completed their training in various areas such as welding technology, occupational safety and health, entrepreneurship, human resource management, heavy vehicle drivers, painting, metal blasting, abseiling, and rigging and slinging fields.
Sarawak Energy senior vice president of corporate services, Siti Aisah Adenan, congratulated the students for their achievement.
“This will certainly open doors to more learning and development and enhanced employment opportunities. Sarawak Energy is pleased to have played a part in supporting their academic and skill development through the Baleh Skills Training Programme.
“Our main aim for establishing this programme was to ensure younger community members benefit from the project in the short to long term. Through this, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to secure employment following the development shaping in Kapit and Baleh, especially with the building of the Baleh Hydroelectric Project,” she said.
She said that support programmes like this were also in line with the Sarawak government’s goal of capacity building to create a diverse and capable Sarawakian workforce.
“Sarawak Energy believes that one of the most important ways of giving back is by supporting the educational needs of Sarawak’s young. We place a great emphasis on areas where we have projects and operations. To benefit young people across Sarawak, we also have an annual scholarship programme and educational initiatives through which we allocate RM8.8 million,” she said.
Sarawak Energy general manager for corporate social responsibility Jiwari Abdullah said, “We have also implemented Education Enhancement Initiatives for communities where our projects are located as good corporate neighbours. One significant initiative is the Education Fund, which provides educational incentives for communities within our hydropower developments in Batang Ai, Murum, Baleh and Bakun through a revolving fund of RM200,000 for each community.” — DayakDaily
