Wahab (centre) flanked by his parents after receiving the Best Student Award at the IKM convocation yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Unemployment is the biggest nightmare for university graduates, but not for those from the skills institutes which provide wide range of training opportunities for youths to improve their education, especially in the technical and vocational fields
Wahab Ambo Rappe, 24, who graduated from Kota Kinabalu Mara Skills Institute (IKM) said after receiving his Best Student Award at the 8th IKM Convocation in Sepanggar yesterday.
“After I completed my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kuhara in Tawau, I decided to apply for the Certificate in Electrical Engineering Technology (Power) course at IKM because I know the job opportunity is huge if you are holding an IKM certificate.
“In my two years with IKM Kota Kinabalu, I was awarded as best student for four semesters in a row. And today, in my convocation I will be receiving the Best Student Award. I really appreciate the support from my parents, tutors and friends who have been there for me, rain or shine,” he said.
Wahab is the fifth child of eight siblings. His father, Ambo Rappe Nawire, 50, is working in an oil palm factory in Tawau while his mother Jati Patengngai, 60, is a housewife.
He is currently pursuing his advanced certificate course at IKM Johor Bahru and is currently attached to a private company in Tawau.
“After I completed my course at IKM Kota Kinabalu, I was offered a job by QL Plantation in Tawau to work with them. When I got the offer to continue with my advanced certificate, my company allowed me to take a long leave and asked me to come back after my course is over.
“I hope more SPM leavers will follow my footsteps. If they do not have good results it does not mean that they have failed in life because some people are interested in different fields. I can guarantee that if you are focused in what you do and take it seriously, there are many job opportunities in Sabah, particularly in the industrial sector,” he added.
The convocation yesterday was launched by MARA council member Datuk Rahim Abu Bakar.