SIBU: Shipbuilding industry here has been encouraged to absorb more young blood and enable them to acquire the latest shipbuilding technology.
In making the call, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the Sibu shipbuilding industry lacks a complete training system.
He said this is demonstrated by its heavy reliance on foreign workers for welding.
Speaking at the Sibu Shipyards Association’s (SSA) 50th anniversary celebration dinner here on Friday (Oct 11) he said there is an urgent need to nurture local technical talent.
Tiong was represented by Joshua Ting Fu Ying, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, at the function.
Tiong said to keep abreast in the fiercely competitive market, Sibu’s shipbuilding industry must actively progress to the level of advanced countries, such as China and South Korea.
As such, he encouraged technical vocational colleges to invest more resources in related courses, and provide comprehensive learning content that meets the needs of the shipbuilding market, such as establishing strategic partnerships with domestic and foreign enterprises and academic institutions, so that students have more pathways to acquire the latest technology.
Tiong commended the association saying that it had not only made important contributions to the development of the shipbuilding industry, but also contributed to the economic prosperity and social progress in the Sibu area.
Later, Ting announced on behalf of Tiong, a grant of RM20,000 for the SSA to run its activities.
Also present were Deputy Speaker to the Dewan Rakyat, Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, Bukit Assek assemblyman,Joseph Chieng SSA chairman, Ting Hua Ang and the event’s organising chaiman, Ferdinand Wong.
