KUCHING: A total of 51 working adults have earned internationally recognized qualifications at Sarawak Skills through the Industry-Driven Talent Acceleration Programme (ID-TAP). In this respect, 26 participants have completed the Expert Craftsman Programme in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, whereas 25 participants completed the Expert Craftsman Programme in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Technology.

The participants in the aforementioned programme are employees of the following organizations: Asteel Sdn. Bhd., the Automotive and Welding Institute of Sarawak (AWISAR), Biomedix Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Longi Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., One Medicare Sdn. Bhd., Shorefield Sdn. Bhd. and Tama Abu Engineering Sdn. Bhd.

As part of his address during the Certificate Presentation and Appreciation Ceremony on 23 January 2024 at the Sarawak Skills Auditorium, Tabuan Jaya, Kuching, Mr. Hallman bin Sabri, Executive Director of Sarawak Skills highlighted, “The Expert Craftsman programmes are fully funded by the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK). Certificates received by the participants include an internationally recognized certificate from Handwerkskammer (HWK) Aachen Germany, and a modular certificate from the Department of Skills Development (JPK). I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my appreciation to those supportive companies for their invaluable contributions to human capital development, especially in the area of enhancing the quality of our skilled workforce in Sarawak.”

With regard to Sarawak Skills’ reputation for quality and reliability, Mr. Hallman who is also the Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) shared, “As the industry develops, so will our training programmes. By making them consistent with the world of business and technology, we will make them relevant to a wider group of trainees. We must create new products and seek new potentials to add value to current products and services to keep up with the current trend(s) and support the government’s human capital development aspirations. To facilitate Sarawak Skills’ ongoing effort to develop an agile workforce, we have also put in place various initiatives to ensure that our students and trainees are equipped with all-important twenty-first-century attributes and skills. For example, to facilitate our students & trainees’ transition from the classroom to the world of work, we have initiated character-building programmes for all students, e.g. Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Problem-solving and Decision-making and English language competency.”

He added, “Sarawak Skills is an Approved Training Provider for Recognition of Prior Achievement (APA) or formerly known as the Accreditation of Prior Achievement. Recognition of Prior Achievement (APA) is a method to give recognition to any individual who can demonstrate skills outlined in the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) based on prior experience and achievements. The recruitment for this examination-based programme is ongoing to encourage industrial workers to get formal recognition of their professional experiences.”

Also present during the ceremony were Puan Fatihanum binti Md. Salih, Senior Assistant Manager, Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), Mr. Sudirman bin Surati, Director, Department of Skills Development Sarawak (JPK Sarawak), Datuk Ir Michael Hii, Group Executive Director, Asteel Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Mazlina binti Shafi’i, Director of Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Sarawak Region, Mr. Mohamad Isham bin Fauzi, Chief Strategy Officer (Strategic Engagement and Business Development Division), Sarawak Skills, Mr. Ngieng Sii Jing, Chief Executive Officer, Longi Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Mohamad Norman bin Hashmi, Managing Director, Tama Abu Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Ts. Ir. Lau Yew Nen, General Manager Biomedix Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Syamsul Hizri bin Mohamed Nor, Senior Manager, Corporate Services, One Medicare Sdn. Bhd., and Mr. Timothy Harley, Deputy Head of Operations, Shorefield Sdn. Bhd.

More information on various corporate training programmes can be obtained from Sarawak Skills’ website (sarawakskills.edu.my) or contact Sarawak Skills at 082-539222.