KUCHING: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd recently concluded its Sarawak Metro’s Socio-Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme with a successful industrial attachment in China, where five of its engineers and apprentices gained valuable experience.
The programme aimed to enhance the procurement value of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
Collaborating with Sarawak Metro’s Systems Package 1 Contractor, EPR Mobilus Global Rail JV Sdn Bhd (EMGJV), they completed a month-long attachment at Fangda InnoTech Co Ltd in Shenzhen on April 7.
The participating engineers included Muhammad Azri Abdul Wahed and Qhalief Sapawi from the System Assurance and Requirement Department, as well as three apprentices, Syammil Mohd Ishak, Farid Hamizan Roslan and Nur Nafisa Abdullah, from Sarawak Metro’s Young Talent Programme (YTP).
During the industrial attachment, they were briefed on the overview of the Automated Platform Gate (APG) project and gained hands-on assembly experience.
Additionally, they were introduced to testing procedures, including the electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) test, weather tightness test, structural test, maintenance demonstration test, functional test, and one-million cycle test.
This comprehensive training equipped them with practical skills, exposed them to industry-standard practices, and familiarised them with the stages of testing and commissioning, empowering them to excel in their roles in assisting with the operation of the KUTS project.
Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Ts Mazli Mustaffa said the industrial attachment marked another milestone in creating a pool of skilled manpower to manage the KUTS project.
“The SEED Programme is our initiative to prepare our young local talent for the needs of this new industry.
“This is our commitment to ensuring the success of this noble project, which aims to modernise public transport and ease traffic congestion in Greater Kuching,” he said, adding that more industrial attachments are in the pipeline.
EMGJV project director Mohd Asmadi Abdul Manaf highlighted that the joint venture company was proud to play a major role in this transfer of knowledge throughout the one-month attachment, which he considered a continuous process in collaboration with Sarawak Metro and EMGJV’s overseas suppliers.
“Definitely a milestone achieved, this was a continuation of the attachment programme that followed last year’s attachment with Global Rail in Selangor and marked the second attachment organised in China, the first being with CRRC MRT Holding Group Co Ltd’s facilities in Changsha last year and most recently in Shenzhen, China.
“By cultivating their skills in this field, these young talents played a pivotal role in testing and operating the prototype APG system for KUTS.”
This year, Sarawak Metro is recruiting another 20 more YTP apprentices, bringing the total number to 60 since its introduction three years ago. The YTP is a sub-programme introduced under
