(Seated from second left) Captain Mohamad, Pandi and Nor Hisham sign the MoU documents, witnessed by Talib (standing third left) and other guests.
BINTULU: Youths are encouraged to grab the vast opportunities in the skills and technical sector.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development Datuk Talib Zulpilip said a skilled workforce was fundamental to the strong, sustainable and balanced growth of countries.
“As a developing country, Malaysia needs many skilled workers,” pointed out Talib who is also urbanisation assistant minister.
“However Malaysia is still dependent on skilled workforce from foreign lands that might want them back one day. Without sufficient skilled workers of her own, Malaysia might have difficulty adapting.”
Talib told reporters this at a press conference after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Anaq Vaie Bintulu Association and SR Scaffold Resources Sdn Bhd and Permata Maritime Training Centre Sdn Bhd at Kemena Hotel yesterday.
According to Talib, skilled workers could get lucrative incomes so those interested should think about investing in skills training.
Anaq Vaie Bintulu Association was represented by its president Pandi Suhaili, SR Scaffold Resources Sdn Bhd by its chief executive officer Nor Hisham Mohd Ariffin while Permata Training Centre Sdn Bhd by its managing director Captain Mohamad Yunos.
The MoU was a collaborative programme for technical training in the oil and gas sector, and maritime training.
Pandi said the association was established in 2010 with members coming from Bintulu including Sebauh and Tatau.
“One of the main objectives of the association is to improve the socio-economy of the local Vaie community,” he said.
Pandi said to increase the quality of human capital among local Vaie in line with the job market, the association introduced a programme on human capital development, namely skills training in oil and gas and marine.
The MoU signing ceremony yesterday was for the certification programme and on-the-job training.
There were 34 applications for the recent ‘Azam Kerja Anaq Vaie’ programme, out of which 18 were selected for courses conducted by Mara Skills Institute (IKM) Bintulu, starting Feb 20.
Present at the event were Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggi, Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari, IKM Bintulu director Dr Mohd Nawawi Omar, Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak chief executive officer Syeed Mohd Hussien and Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera special officer Syed Arnez Amdan Syed Khalil.