KUCHING, March 24: The Automotive and Welding Institute of Sarawak (Awisar) at Demak Laut Industrial Estate here has an important role to play in supporting Sarawak’s transport sector, especially in facilitating the development of a workforce with specialised skills in maintenance of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs).
Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin was pleased to note that Awisar and Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd are exploring joint talent development initiatives to support the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system and hydrogen-related technological applications.
“This would facilitate the transfer of new knowledge and skills.
“Well done to Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions on its ongoing efforts to reach out to the workforce through the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) programme. This would enable those who have many years of industry-related experience to earn formal qualifications,” he said in a media release yesterday.
Lee led a delegation from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Sarawak including its permanent secretary Dato Ir Alice Jawan Empaling and principal assistant secretary and division head (Land Transport and Logistic) Julin Alen to visit Awisar which is part of Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions (Sarawak Skills) yesterday (March 23).
Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri, in his welcoming remarks, said the institution takes great pride in complementing the Sarawak government and the industries in joint effort to develop the human capital for Sarawak and Malaysia.
“The government’s and our members’ numerous contributions to Sarawak Skills’ multipronged approach to talent development have facilitated the transformation of Sarawak’s economic and digital landscape in line with the Sarawak Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“With the continued support of the government and our strategic partners from the industries including Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, we will be able to raise the bar to develop an industry-ready workforce and support the upcoming green and blue economy initiatives in Sarawak,” he emphasised.
Following the tour of the facilities, a briefing was held to update the visitors on the latest developments at Sarawak Skills, including upcoming training centres, namely the Advanced Automotive Training College (AATC) in Kuching, Sarawak Skills Sri Aman Training Centre and Sibu Automotive Training Centre.
Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) chairman Ts Jaidil Yakop and Sarawak Metro chief executive officer (CEO) Ts Mazli Mustaffa were among those present. — DayakDaily
