SIBU: Sarawak requires about 500,000 technical workers in the next 12 years to transform into an industrialised state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said in the past, Technical and Vocational Education Training (Tvet) was not given much emphasis compared to mainstream academic education.
“For Sarawak to realise its digital policy, Tvet should also be prioritised as an integral part of the education system to nurture productive and competitive workforce, thus reducing dependency on foreign workers and elevating our worker’s competitiveness and earning power.
“Tvet is a critical agenda with two main goals. Firstly, to provide required skills through human capital development programmes or certification and secondly, to prepare and empower the people of Sarawak to face initiatives and strategies of the Sarawak Digital Economy,” he said.
His text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh at the launching ceremony of STEM Playground and Saintex Sibu 2019 held at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) yesterday.
According to the Chief Minister, industrial revolution IR4.0 entailed the promotion and integration of sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to develop the advanced systems required for this highly digitalised economy.
He added that STEM could promote innovative and creative research culture, which would elevate the state’s economy by making productivity and business more resilient.
“STEM also encourages the digital economy, and on the other hand, the digital economy relies on STEM for new ideas as well as the big data and infrastructure that powers the digital economy.
“Hence, if Sarawak wants to champion industry 4.0 agenda, events like ‘Saintex 2019’ should be encouraged as a platform to nurture talents that generate innovation and creativity,” he said.
Abang Johari said the potential in digital economy was beyond imagination, thus Sarawak must unleash the talents in developing business and play prominent roles in the economic sector.
