By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 22: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) undergraduates from Sarawak could soon bypass the post-graduation job hunt through a proposed holiday internship pipeline that guarantees automatic absorption into high-paying industrial roles.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that under this model, engineering and STEM students will be placed with participating companies to work part-time during their academic breaks, transitioning straight into full-time engineering roles upon graduation.
“For instance, a company may need 1,000 engineers. Through the expansion of Western Digital in Sama Jaya alone, they require between 500 and 1,000 engineers.
“Once our university students do their internships there during the holidays, they can be automatically absorbed into the workforce the moment they graduate,” he told reporters after launching the Bidayuh Cultural Centre (BCC) Bau today.
Abang Johari explained that the initiative is a proactive move to address the surging demand for technical talent as high-tech industries rapidly expand across the State.
He pointed out that such a pipeline directly supports Sarawak’s move towards a modern, knowledge-based economy built heavily on intellectual talent.
He explained that the State’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) serves to establish this strong talent pool, paving the way for locals to fill high-paying vacancies particularly in the Transitional Industrial Cluster (TIC).
“These positions under TIC offer many high paying jobs. Our goal is to ensure household incomes rise alongside Sarawak’s GDP growth, with priority for these premium roles given to Sarawakians.
“Because these positions offer attractive salaries, our graduates will not need to seek employment elsewhere,” Abang Johari said. — DayakDaily
