SPAOH, Dec 14: Youth in Spaoh should equip themselves with knowledge, skills, experience as well as the right attitude and mentality to seize the opportunities which abound around them with the many new developments coming up in Betong Division.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that such preparations could make them successful businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals in all fields.
“When you have these qualities, any of you can exploit the many opportunities arising and definitely not be mere onlookers.
“These (opportunities) are especially in the field of modern agriculture where Betong Division is part of the Betong-Mukah Food Basket area, among others,” he said when officiating at the Spaoh Community Education Programme organised by the Rajang Teachers Institute at the compound of the district mosque here today.
Toward this end, the Bukit Saban incumbent pointed out that the Rajang Teachers Institute has a very important role to play.
“Go beyond recruiting them to be teachers. Teach them the soft skills. Teach them how to study well, to be confident, creative and sociable in order to be able to compete with others.
“Such skills would come in handy when they attend job interviews. If they do not have the exposure, they cannot speak with confidence, cannot present themselves well,” he added.
Uggah said he does not want rural youths to feel inferior when competing with their urban counterparts.
In his speech earlier, institute director Dr Abang Ismail Abang Julhi said the programme aimed to encourage Sarawakians to receive their training as teachers at the institute.
“Sarawak is still critically short of teachers to teach the Iban language subject.
“We prefer local candidates as we believe in their ability and capability more when it comes to native languages,” he said. — DayakDaily
