Len (second right) handing a certificate to a recipient who completed the Sarawak TVET Initiatives 2017. Also seen are Sabariah (second left) and Kadim (right).

KUCHING: Programmes such as the Sarawak Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) Initiatives 2017 aim to train and produce youths who will go on to create jobs, not just to seek jobs.

Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh said in line with that objective, the government is moving in top gear to ensure that the state’s human capital development is intensified, especially through TVET.

“Our youths, who will be the force to achieving the year 2030 objective of the state, must have the necessary strength and tenacity to face the many challenges ahead,” he said during a Certificate Conferment Ceremony for Sarawak TVET Initiatives 2017 yesterday.

TVET has become a critical agenda for the state with two main goals. First, it is to provide required skills through human capital development programmes or certification for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

“Secondly, it is to prepare and empower the people of Sarawak for the new upcoming initiatives and strategies such as the development of the Sarawak Digital Economy,” said Len.

Sarawak TVET Initiatives 2017 is an effort by the Sarawak government in collaboration with Unimas and Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (Tegas) to increase the number of competent skilled workers for the local labour market and readiness for the Sarawak Digital Economy initiative by providing competency and short term courses.

Len said that he was impressed by the number of interested participants.

“This shows that our youths are aware of their importance in contributing to Sarawak’s future success.”

The programme received over 2,000 applications, of which only 444 were offered 20 TVET courses. Yesterday, 332 of the participants received their certificates at Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Hall (DeTar Putra) in Unimas after completing the three-month course.

Sarawak TVET Initiatives 2017 commenced on April 3 and ended May 13 this year.

Present at the ceremony was Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit.

Also present were Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Prof Mohd Fadzil Abd Rahman, deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Dr Kopli Bujang, deputy vice-chancellor (academic and international) professer Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim, and Sarawak TVET Initiatives 2017 programme director associate Prof Ir Dr Al-Khalid Othman.