SIBU: Sarawak Skills Development Centre (Sarawak Skills) and Sibu Automobile Repairers Association (SARA) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to synergise their collective expertise and resources towards advancing talent development.
Executive director of the Sarawak Skills, Hallman Sabri said with the formalisation of the collaboration, both organisations would jointly develop industry-relevant courses and training programmes, including the application of the latest automotive and mobility technologies in accordance with global environmental sustainability standards to transform existing operations and practices.
“SARA members will also have access to the wide range of upskilling and reskilling training programmes offered by Sarawak Skills.
“For Sarawak Skills’ trainees and graduates, the signining of the MoU opens the doors of opportunity in terms of internship and employment opportunities at SARA’s member companies,” he said at the MoU’s signing ceremony held in a leading hotel here.
Hallman, signed on behalf of Sarawak Skills while SARA was represented by its chairman Cr. Teo Nging Poh. The event was jointly witnessed by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is also Bintulu MP.
Hallman who is also chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) was pleased to welcome SARA as a member of the Sarawak Skills.
He said Sarawak Skills took great pride in complementing the government and the industries in their joint effort to develop the state’s and nation’s human capital.
Since its inception in 1994, Sarawak Skills has provided industry-relevant technical and vocational education, and training to equip the workforce with the necessary technical and soft skills.
“Over the years, the various industry sectors have played a leading role in managing and determining the direction of Sarawak Skills through their representatives in the Sarawak Skills Management Council.
“We enjoy strong support from the industry with more than 70 members from various industry sectors such as oil and gas, plantation (oil palm), timber, manufacturing, engineering, aviation and many other priority industries.
“Our members’ numerous contributions to Sarawak Skills’ multipronged approach to talent development have facilitated the transformation of Sarawak’s economic and digital landscape in line with the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030),” he stated.
He said with the support of the Sarawak government, Sarawak Skills in collaboration with SARA would be setting up the Sibu Automotive Technology Academy.
In this respect, he expressed his gratitude to Dr Annuar for his tremendous guidance and support in facilitating the development of this training hub in the heart of Sibu.
Indeed, he pointed out that this is a shining example of all stakeholders coming together as strategic partners in talent development.
“On behalf of the chairman and Management Council Members of Sarawak Skills, I also wish to convey my gratitiude to Teo for allocating a piece of land to Sarawak Skills.
“This will go a long way towards facilitating the talent development of youths in Sibu and the central region of Sarawak, and for the benefit of current and future generations of the populace as a whole,” Hallman added.
Also present were the president of the Federation of Automobile Workshop Owners’ Association of Malaysia, Khor Kong Siah and Sibu MP, Oscar Ling Chai Yew.
