FOR SKILLS TRAINING: Azman (left) and Dahim inspect the former State Complex buildings.
KAPIT: The abandoned former State Complex buildings at Jalan Penghulu Nyanggau will be converted into a training centre for Giatmara.
Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot said repairs are now underway to ensure the centre can begin operation next January.
“I’m very pleased that after six or seven years left unattended and used as a site for undesirable activities, these former State Complex buildings will finally be put to good use for education, particularly skills-training.
“Giatmara will make sure these buildings are fully utilised to tap future human resources to meet the requirements of SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy),” he said during a site visit on Monday.
The buildings have been left empty ever since state government departments and agencies moved into the nine-storey Bletih State Complex. Since then there have been at least two fires, believed to be the work of intruders smoking in the buildings.
The buildings have also become a den for glue-sniffers and couples meeting for liaisons.
“Now it is leased to Giatmara for five years for education and skills- training. This is the first step and we hope it will eventually be upgraded into a Pusat Latihan Kemahiran Belia (youth skills training centre) for central Sarawak, to meet the demand for semi-skilled labour by SCORE when it is fully operational in five years’ time,” added Dahim.
Meanwhile, Giatmara Kapit branch manager Azman Mohamad said at present they offer courses in motorcycle repair, fashion design and dressmaking.
Upon completion of the renovation, he said, Giatmara will offer two new courses at certificate level — hairdressing and electrical.
“The courses are open to any youths interested in acquiring skills. We accept any youth who can read and write. Apart from locals from Kapit, we accept applicants from Belaga, Song, Kanowit, Sibu and as far as Oya.
“Applications are open only to Bumiputera youth at the moment. Upon completion of the six-month course, they will be given a certificate of attendance. Also, while they are training here, they will receive an allowance of RM200 per month,” explained Azman.
Currently Giatmara has five instructors in Kapit.
Since it began operations here in 2005, Giatmara
has trained a total of 189 youths.