By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Feb 22: This year’s Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair will be focusing on employment, higher learning as well as funding for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Assistant Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said now that the state was promoting its industry 4.0 and digital economy agenda, this year’s SCaT Fair would be focusing on the opportunities arising from those, aimed especially at school leavers and graduates.
“Last year, the state spent RM1 billion on the digital economy agenda, and we are expecting three fold contributions back to the state. We hope that during SCaT Fair 2019, a lot of young people can find opportunities,” he told a press conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
SCaT Fair 2019 will be held from March 15-17 at the BCCK and is scheduled to be launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on March 16.
To date, 119 organisations have confirmed their participation. Eight are financial aid providers, 36 are job providers, 65 are higher learning institutions and 10 from government and government-linked agencies.
The SCaT Fair is a unique event as it is dynamic with ever-changing activities to fit the state’s directions and also industrial and public needs with regards to training and career pathways,” said Len Talif, who is also Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (Tegas) chairman.
He said a series of talks and seminars would also be held during the fair, with topics revolving around employability, entrepreneurship, digital economy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), motivation and innovation.
“Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will be one of the speakers during a special forum ‘Youth Speak Up’,” he said.
Other activities are related to technical and vocational training as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), where live demonstration would be held.
“The fair is a unique opportunity for networking and forming partnerships between school-leavers, graduates, training providers, institution of higher learning and potential employers.
“For school-leavers and graduates, it provides opportunities to explore the various options for further studies as well as for job prospects and interviews,” said Len Talif.
As for teachers and parents, he said this would be an opportunity for them to explore the options available for their students and children.
“Last year, about 18,000 people came to the fair. This year, we are targeting 20,000,” he said.
The fair is organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, and Tegas. — DayakDaily
