By Karen Bong
BINTULU, Aug 26: Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau today called on youths to prioritise pursuing the highest possible education, cautioning against a growing trend where school-leavers refuse to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or further their studies, opting instead to become e-hailing drivers.
Speaking when officiating the graduation ceremony of PETRONAS’ Re-skilling Programme at IKM Bintulu, Dennis stressed that education remains the most powerful tool for long-term socio-economic mobility.
“This is not good. You can choose to do e-hailing part time, but first priority must be given to completing the highest possible education. Education is key. If you have education and skills, your future is almost guaranteed to be better,” he said, comparing it to professional athletes whose careers are limited by age.
The month-long Scaffolding Level 1 programme, held from Aug 1 to 25 in collaboration with IKM Bintulu and TMR Technologies Sdn Bhd, successfully trained 40 youths from Lawas, Ulu Limbang, Tinjar, Niah, Sebauh and Bintulu.
All the trainees have also landed jobs with companies within the oil and gas sector, through the support of industry partners including Preveld Oil & Gas, Rahabco Engineering & Construction Bhd, Bintulu Scaffolding Sdn Bhd, and JL Expert Scaffolding via TMR Technologies Sdn Bhd.
Dennis praised PETRONAS’ commitment in uplifting rural youths by providing training opportunities, noting that this directly contributes to employability and higher income levels.
“With basic knowledge coupled with specific skills such as scaffolding, youth’s income can increase from RM2,000 to RM2,500 or even RM3,000. This is the purpose of such programmes, to uplift families and communities,” he said.
He also acknowledged PETRONAS’ long-standing relationship with rural Sarawak, especially in Telang Usan since 2011, highlighting how the national oil and gas company not only contributes to infrastructure maintenance such as rural roads but also provides employment opportunities through various development projects.
Dennis urged PETRONAS to continue expanding its re-skilling initiatives in Sarawak beyond the oil and gas sector to cover services, tourism and hospitality, industries where demand for skilled manpower remains high.
“As chairman of the Sarawak Tourism Board, I often hear from hotels and restaurants that they face challenges in finding good workers in the hospitality industry,” he noted, suggesting future training in hydroponics and the services sector to widen opportunities.
He linked the initiative to Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, where Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has set a target of raising household income to RM15,000 by 2030.
“With poverty still present in rural and remote areas, PCDS is crucial to ensure progress through education. For those still in school, free tertiary education at Sarawak-owned universities in 2026 is a golden opportunity. For those who have finished schooling, upgrading skills through re-skilling programmes is the way forward,” he said.
Looking ahead, PETRONAS aims to provide exposure to re-skilling programmes for 130 participants this year with 40 for scaffolding, 30 for digital marketing, and 60 for hydroponics and freshwater fish farming.
These initiatives aims not only to boost the employability of youths but also uplift the socio-economic wellbeing of families and communities, contributing to Sarawak’s overall development.
PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu was also present at the event. — DayakDaily
