Abang Johari (centre) and other officials in a photocall with the winners. On Abang Johari’s right is Manyin.
KUCHING: Each year, between 10,000 and 15,000 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers in the state do not further their studies or training, resulting in them entering the job market with low pay and little prospect for advancement.
In stating this, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said his ministry will continue to promote technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to address the low uptake for skills training.
“There are lots of opportunities to undertake skills training in various trades and yet the uptake is low and it is a huge waste to the individuals as well as to the state.
“Hence, one of the ministry’s main agenda is to position TVET and skills training as an equally attractive career development,” he said at the closing of the WorldSkills Malaysia Sarawak (WMS) 2019 competition, here yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the event which was held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Manyin pointed out that his ministry has organised various programmes such as Sarawak Career and Training Fair, which is held annually towards promoting TVET.
He hoped parents would not perceive TVET training and qualification as ‘less smart and less able’, while also stressing the need and importance for students to master English to gain employment.
He said the importance of mastering English was the reason the Sarawak government had accepted the challenge from the federal government, to teach Mathematics and Science in English in primary schools in the state from next year, adding that 2,800 teachers are undergoing training for the purpose.
On WMS, Manyin said it is regarded as the ‘Olympics of Skills’ under the auspices of WorldSkills International, a global organisation of 76 nations dedicated to raising the profile and recognition of skilled people and highlight the significance of skills in achieving economic growth and personal success.
WMS 2019 which began Sept 9 saw 260 participants competing in 15 categories, an increase from 209 participants who took part in 11 categories in the 2017 edition.
For this year’s event, four new categories in the field of information and communications technology were included in line with the state’s focus on developing digital economy.