KUCHING: Capacity building programmes for skilled construction personnel and enhancements in the adoption of best construction practices are on the cards for Sarawak.
This will be made possible through a collaboration between Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on this was signed between the two parties, with the scope of collaboration covering the training, assessment and accreditation of 100 plant and crane operators, 200 scaffolders and 80 construction site supervisors for a total of 20 Sarawak Energy projects by CIDB at the initial stage.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in officiating at the MoU signing ceremony, said local contractors will be able to source workers locally through the building up of the capacity and capabilities of manpower in Sarawak, easing the burden of having to look for them abroad.
This will also benefit project delivery, as exemplified by the timely delivery of Sarawak Energy’s substation projects which are largely dependent on local workforce, he said.
“I understand that Sarawak Energy is the first government linked company (GLC) from the state to sign an MoU with CIDB for competency building through the provision of trade training for the purpose of ensuring compliance to Act 520 (Construction Industry Development Board Act).
“This will significantly improve the capacity and capabilities of our local construction workers, ensuring that they not only meet the development needs of Sarawak Energy but the state at large,” he said during the ceremony held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), here on Tuesday (Aug 16).
Abang Johari said this will also ensure that local workers are equipped with necessary skills to execute works in full compliance with all legal requirements while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
“Congratulations to both organisations for being proactive in embarking on this important collaboration which is expected to yield important benefits for Sarawak and the nation at large,” he said.
Through the five-year strategic collaboration, CIDB will be able to organise registration, training and accreditation to be conducted at remote project sites in order to minimise project disruption, time and logistic costs as well as ensuring compliance to CIDB Act 1995 (Act 520).
Sarawak Energy, as owner of large infrastructure projects, has agreed to provide industry apprenticeship placement for up to 100 people who have completed their training from CIDB-owned training academy, Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM).
During the signing ceremony, Sarawak Energy was represented by its Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili while CIDB was represented by its chief executive Datuk Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Project Delivery, Pramod Kumar Karunakaran and CIDB Deputy Chief Executive I, Megat Kamil Azmi Megat Rus Kamarani.
