Youths urged to acquire skills in facing IR4.0

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Dr Annuar (third left) presents a certificate to one of the graduates.

KUCHING: Youths are urged to acquire various skills to face the fourth industrial revolution (IR4.0)and help in developing the state.

Giving this message was Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, who said IR4.0 taking place now needed more manpower in various skills.

“The industrial revolution taking place nowadays comes in various forms, which all need skilled manpower to bring Sarawak to greater heights of industrialisation. We need more youths who are equipped with various skills.

“On its part, the Sarawak government will work closely with the Ministry of Human Resource to provide skilled training for our youths to help steer the state to greater economic heights,” he said at the 3rd graduation ceremony of Dual National Skilled System (Sistem Latihan Dual Nasional-SLDN) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.

SLDN director Dr Aruna Ismail was also present at the function.

The ceremony saw 544 graduates who are mostly Sarawakians from various disciplines like automotive, heavy machinery, electrical, aquaculture and hospitality receiving their certificates.

Dr Annuar said the SLDN was also adopted and accepted in Germany, and was found to be very successful in developing  industries in the country.

He believed that providing such skilled training to the youths would help to reduce unemployment in the country, and Sarawak in particular. Malaysia’s unemployment rate stands at 3.3 per cent.

He thus hoped the Ministry of Human Resource could intensify efforts to rectify the problem.

A statement meanwhile said Sarawak has 21 active SLDN centres working with 45 companies in various sectors like plantation, reflexology, diving, electricity, and spa theraphy, among others.

The SLDN concept is 70 to 80 per cent attachment with industries and 20 to 30 per cent theory training.

It said the SLDN has also entered Malaysian Book of Records for having registered the most number of apprentices.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Human Resource will always ensure that Sarawakians are given consideration for quality skilled training for the much needed workforce in the state.