by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 24: Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) graduates will be the catalyst to propel Sarawak to be a high-income developed State.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that with their TVET qualifications, Sarawakian graduates will be the agent of change in improving the competitiveness of the State’s local workforce and the national economy.
“We must have TVET for our young people as the State government is preparing for the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and digital economy that is affecting all aspects of our lives today.
“TVET system must be strengthened as it will also provide us with the right direction to participate in the development of various sectors in the country,” he added.
Abang Johari said this before presenting the academic scrolls to graduates at the Sarawak Skills (PKKS) and International College of Advancement Technology Sarawak (i-CATS) 22nd Graduation Ceremony at Borneo Convention Center Kuching (BCCK) today.
He said that TVET-based learning will expose the students to widespread use of technology during training, which he believed will produce the workforce needed as a catalyst for national growth.
Abang Johari said that for the TVET program to be up-to-date and meets the needs of the local market, the trainers must continue to review the teaching syllabus and even to constantly re-brand it to remain relevant.
“Therefore, Sarawak Skill as one of TVET’s leading institutions should be able to provide high quality and skilled human capital in technical and vocational areas in the state. These skills will ensure they produce graduates of high marketability,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Skills chairman and i-CATS president, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain revealed that a total of 780 graduated from Sarawak Skills and i-CATS this year.
He said 284 obtained their Malaysian Skills Certificate, 87 were awarded the Malaysian Diploma Skills (DKM), while 14 got their Certificates of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
From I-CATS, 357 graduates received their diplomas in various fields while seven were awarded the Bachelor in Software Engineering and 33 graduates received their Vocational Training Operations (VTO).
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Sarawak Skills Executive Director Hallman Sabri and I-CATS Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Isham Fauzi were present. — DayakDaily
