There may be immense career prospects in Sarawak for those who graduated from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, particularly in areas that are being developed under regional development agencies formed by the Sarawak Government.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development YB Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh believed this to be the case, given that most development projects implemented by these agencies are physical in nature, which calls for a demand in technical talents.
“At least 70 per cent of this RM1.5 billion (allocated to each regional development agency) is used for infrastructure development projects and it certainly requires a lot of manpower.
“This provides many opportunities in skilled technical employment. The establishment of these development agencies will benefit local youths,” he said at a press conference after gracing the Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) Sarawak and CIDB Technologies Sdn Bhd graduation ceremony at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Sarawak Convention Centre on 4 October 2022.
Datu Haji Len Talif, who is also chairman of Rajang Delta Development Agency, added that these agencies – presently eight in total – are part of the Government’s efforts to provide employment to Sarawakians, for each of them has certain job requisites.
This approach is undertaken to ensure that every area in the State does not lag behind in terms of development carried out under the development agencies involved.
At the same press conference, he concurred with the opinion of CIDB Malaysia Chief Executive YBhg Datuk Ir. Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid regarding the promotion of 3D printing technology to Malaysia’s construction industry.
This comes as CIDB is embarking on this endeavour in collaboration with Sarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) through ABM Sarawak, the board’s regional training institute.
The initiative is part of CIDB’s strategy towards transforming the country’s construction industry using the latest technologies, especially in enhancing its productivity, efficiency, and quality.
Particularly, the board is focusing on automation-based technologies – having successfully promoted and adopted Industrialised Building System (IBS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) – which can in turn reduce the reliance on foreign unskilled labour, and drive the growth and professionalism of local workers.
“…Highly-skilled and knowledgeable construction workers would be the key for the State’s development. We need to refocus training towards highly-skilled local talents because at least 60 to 70 per cent of the development will involve infrastructure works.
“This means Sarawak needs more highly-skilled construction workers. The infrastructure projects will provide more job opportunities for our local talents – I believe we can achieve 100 per cent employment (for locals),” Datu Haji Len Talif reiterated.
Regional development agencies established by the Sarawak Government (as of 2022):
- Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA)
- Highland Development Agency (HDA)
- Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA)
- Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA)
- Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA)
- Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA)
- Rajang Delta Development Agency (RDDA)
- Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA)
