KUCHING: Sarawak managed to produce thousands of graduates, undergraduates and skilled individuals while keeping its employment rate to as low as 3.5 per cent last year, said Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

During the year, he pointed out, higher learning institutions in the state had produced 8,640 diploma and degree graduates and 9,000 graduates trained in technical skills.

Sarawak now has 33 higher learning institutions offering diploma, degree and post graduate courses, and 44 other institutions providing technical and vocational training.

“The government has always placed great emphasis on human capital development. We are happy that despite the large number of graduates being produced, our economy has been robust to provide the necessary employment opportunities,” he said when opening the Graduan Aspire Borneo Career Fair 2014 at a leading hotel here yesterday.

Awang Tengah, also Minister of Industrial Development and Minister of Public Utilities, said the mega Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) would generate more high-paying jobs.

“The implementation of SCORE is progressing well. Currently, we already have 16 projects approved in SCORE with a total investment of RM29 billion. These are expected to create 14,900 direct jobs.”

He also said by 2030, SCORE is expected to create 1.3 million new jobs, most of which will be technical-related.

Hence, he said, the government is strengthening its capacity to provide technical training both in terms of numbers and level.

He added technical training is now being promoted to change the prevailing perception that it is second rate compared to academic courses.

“On a more localised scenario, perhaps there is a need to see and embrace the need of Sarawak in relation to getting the right talents to fulfil the needs of a growing industry related initiatives of the state.

“It is hoped the needs of the industry players in Sarawak could be matched with graduates coming for this fair in our effort to become an industrialised country by the year 2030.”

He was glad to note the fair aimed at presenting prospects for future development with top institutions in the country besides offering an opportunity for graduates and prospective employers to meet.