By Peter Sibon
SIBU, March 15: There is an urgent need to continuously train local workforce for the construction industry to meet increasing demand in the state.
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) deputy president Augustine CH Wong said workers in the construction industry should also be trained to be multi-tasked to improve efficiency.
“We have to accept the fact that we are lacking in skilled workers in the construction industry. I believe we have to continuously train them.
“For example in Australia, a skilled worker can get paid AUS$700 to fix a door but they really do a good job. Now that’s how we want our workers to be,” he explained.
Wong added that while highly skilled workers command higher pay, they would be cost effective for the company in the long run, as they could complete tasks faster or more efficiently, saving time and materials.
Companies would save money on the job and work done, he continued.
Wong pointed out that one of the reasons local construction companies engaged foreign workers was due to their level of commitment, hard work and capabilities, despite the higher cost to cover their levy.
He believed it was crucial for the industry to train their workers to help create more skilled workers for the local market demand.
“The construction industry as a whole must train their workers so that they don’t have to pinch skilled workers elsewhere, or having theirs taken by others,” he said. — DayakDaily
