BINTULU: PETRONAS’ Re-Skilling Community Programme continues to strengthen grassroots capacity-building efforts, with more than 150 participants benefiting from technical, agricultural, fisheries, digital marketing and entrepreneurship training throughout 2025.

Tanjong Batu Assemblyman, Johnny Pang Leong Ming, said the strong participation reflects the programme’s continued relevance, particularly for communities along the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) corridor who are seeking to enhance their employability and income.

He said the wide range of training, including scaffolding level 1, mechanical fitter, OGSP, hydroponic agriculture, aquaponics and fisheries biosecurity, which aligns with industry demands and local economic needs.

“This programme provides valuable opportunities for the community to acquire new skills and improve their household income, especially among youths and the B40 group,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the PETRONAS Re-Skilling Community Programme 2025 at Fairfield Marriott Hotel on Saturday.

Johnny Pang said the programme’s impact is evident, noting that 73 scaffolding graduates from 2024 and 2025 have already secured jobs in the oil and gas sector in Bintulu and Miri.

He added that PETRONAS’ collaboration with the Sarawak Centre of Technical Excellence (CENTEXS) in 2023 and 2024 trained 154 participants in digital marketing and homestay management, while 79 participants, including 60 from Bintulu, joined entrepreneurship training this year.

Johnny Pang also extended his appreciation to the Subis, Sebauh and Bintulu District Offices, community leaders (KMKK), the Department of Agriculture, Batu 11 Agriculture Training Centre and Mara Skills Institute Bintulu for their support in implementing the programme.

He said the state government welcomes continued cooperation between the private sector and government agencies to ensure rural communities have access to relevant upskilling opportunities that match market needs. -UKASnews