SIBU: The government is taking steps to tackle the shortage of bus and heavy vehicle drivers in Sarawak, including the possibility of providing financial assistance to those wanting to obtain their licences.
Assistant Minister for Workforce Development and Training Datu Len Talif Salleh, who disclosed this, noted it was costly to obtain such driving licence.
“That is why we are looking at means and ways on how PTPTN (The National Higher Education Fund Corporation) can provide some loans to these people who want to be trained as bus drivers or tractor operators.
“Perhaps, how the human resource development fund can be utilised; we are looking into this possibility now so that we can solve this issue in a holistic manner,” Len Talif, who is also Assistant Minister for Environment told reporters after officiating at the Training and Industrial Awareness Programme (Tria) for central zone, hosted by University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here yesterday.
The three-day programme organised by the Workforce Development Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department with Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputra Sarawak (Tegas) and Sarawak Education Department, ends today.
Len Talif was asked to elaborate on a point in his speech earlier concerning shortage of bus drivers.
According to the chairman of Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association Lau Khing Seng, getting a bus driving licence cost between RM5,000 and RM6,000.
Len Talif pointed out that proactive action was needed to solve the shortage of bus drivers or else the problem would continue to persist.
“Perhaps, to ensure our children are exposed to training to become bus drivers as a career. But to be fair, they must be provided with proper perks such as salaries and incentives.”
He added that with the Pan Borneo Highway coming up, the demand for bus drivers would continue to surge.
Adding on, he revealed that there was also shortage of heavy equipment operators for crane, shovel and tractors.
Towards this end, he said his job scope had been expanded to not only include technical education but skill training.
He further mentioned that it was important for the younger generation to be trained in specific skills before they entered the job market.
Meanwhile, director of centre for continuing education and professional development, UCTS Assoc Prof Dr Ramli Rashidi, in his speech, urged the participants to learn about the importance of pursuing their studies at higher levels particularly in architecture for potential careers in Built Environment.
“UCTS is the first TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) in Sarawak, primarily developed to provide professionals and skilled human resources to facilitate the development of SCORE.
“It is also the first GBI (green building index) Platinum campus in Malaysia,” he said.
Ramli further pointed out as a university serving directly to the needs of human capital development in Sarawak, UCTS would always support any programme with the objectives of nurturing and inspiring younger generations to become future leaders, especially in the field of technical and vocational education.