KUCHING, Sept 15: Companies and organisations need to provide more training around technology to help employees improve their skills to adapt to the new pandemic-style working environment while maintaining productivity.
As the pandemic-style work environment is expected to become a firm fixture in the post-pandemic era, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that companies in Sarawak which are able to harness a hybrid working model that embraces the best of both remote and on-site work successfully is likely to become more resilient and attract better digital talents.
“The culture of working from home and having flexible work schedules will still be the most viable and safest option, at least during the endemic stage of Covid-19.
“The evolution of this new work culture also means employers have to adopt hybrid work arrangements and provide the flexibility for employees to work anywhere and anytime,” he said.
Abang Johari highlighted this in his opening remarks when launching the Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS) 4.0 which was attended by participants both physically and virtually on social media platforms.
In the wake of the pandemic, he noted that workers around the world have adapted to the practice of working from home.
As this trend has become prevalent across the globe, Abang Johari shared that it is predicted that this new work culture with a more fluid working environment will stay even after the world recovers from the pandemic.
“It is a work culture that has incorporated flexibility and employees in many countries, according to a study, are hoping it will continue in the post-Covid-19 world,” he added.
Therefore, he was glad that the GETS 4.0 programme has been designed with a special focus on digital competencies such as data analytics and problem-solving skills through on the job trainings.
“We have to continue to invest in developing our own digital, technical and creative talents in our endeavour to attain Industry Revolution 4.0 status.
“In addition to digital skills, there is a strong demand for soft skills as project management, decision making, critical thinking, communication, design thinking and negotiating which will empower people to equip with the competencies of the digital revolution in order to create a workforce fit for a digital future,” he emphasised.
The event also witnessed the virtual Excellence Award ceremony for five recipients namely Afiqah Wadi’ah Abdul Muin, Arieff Aqmall Arnasron, Mereya Kaluk, Lawrence Gan Sie Sian and Russell Reed Boniface Alin.
State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, Finance secretary Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE) chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Asleena Helmi were among those present physically. — DayakDaily
