THE rate of unemployment in Sabah has declined to 4.7% this year, with some 70,000 people between the age of 16 and 64 years still jobless.
Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Datuk Siringan Gubat said among the causative factors of unemployment are the “choosy” attitude of job seekers as well as parents’ expectation of a high pay job for their children and consider labour as having no standard.
He lamented that actually there are many job opportunities available in the State but the response from local job seekers has been rather poor.
“For example, in Lahad Datu, some 1,700 vacancies of various positions have not been filled yet, forcing my ministry to organise a special Career Expo for companies at the POIC (Palm Oil Industrial Cluster) this coming December 19-20,” Gubat said when winding up the debate for his ministry.
According to him, many parents have been forcing their children to take up courses that were not the interest or preference of the children.
“For instance, many parents wanted their children to be lawyers, accountants, doctors, and so on but the true interests of their children are cooking, acting, painting, and so on.
“When the children graduated later, most of them are not interested to work in their field of study. Therefore, I urge all parents to support the interests of their children,” he added.
Under the State Budget 2015, the State Government has allocated RM234.6 million to the various government agencies to develop human capital and set aside RM71.36 million for ICT development programmes.
The Ministry of Resource Development and Information Technology has been allocated RM88.02 million for supply and RM4.10 million for development.
Gubat reckoned that the State’s human capital should be developed holistically to ensure that Generation Y were equipped with communication skills, interpersonal, innovation, art and creativity.
He said next year, the Human Resource Development Department would be upgrading the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 1 and 2 to SKM Level 3 and 4.
In addition, several new programs will be introduced, namely the Computer Network SKM level 2 and 3; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Industrial) SKM level 2 and 3; Welding / Metal Fabrication MGS 2 and 3; Reflexology MGS 2 and 3; SKM Level 3 Spa Therapy and Computer Technician, DKM level 4.
The hospitality programme, through the Hospitality Engagement Learning Program (HELP) held in collaboration with the hotels and resorts, will be intensified next year.
The Sabah Skills and Technology Centre (SSTC) will also continue organizing programmes related to the oil and gas industry, farming, tourism and hospitality in addition to Industrial Skills Enhancement Programme (INSEP) and Workforce Technical Transformation Programme (WTTP).
Replying to issues raised during the debate sessions since Monday, Gubat said the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was striving to further improve the overall quality of Internet services while expanding broadband coverage.
At the State level, a project operated by the private sector for the installation of the submarine cable in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), known as BIMP-EAGA Rink will be implemented by BEST Cable Corporation (BIMP-EAGA Submarine and Terrestrial).
“In addition to connecting all the countries in the BIMP-EAGA, the cables will be connected directly to Guam, United States. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
“With this cable, the State will become an Internet hub for the BIMP-EAGA region. In addition, this cable can also be used as a ‘back-up’ for our country. With the submarine cable, I hope the speed and quality of the Internet will increase, while the cost will decrease,” Gubat told the House.