KUCHING: The development of highly skilled human capital has been identified as a core pillar in realising Sarawak’s aerospace industry, with early emphasis placed on education, skills training and the holistic cultivation of local talent.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said Sarawak cannot move into the implementation phase of the aerospace industry without first ensuring the availability of a workforce equipped with both technical expertise and practical skills aligned with industry requirements.
According to him, academic education alone is insufficient unless supported by hands-on training, upskilling and reskilling initiatives to produce a workforce that is genuinely industry-ready.
"We must start with education first. We cannot talk about developing this industry without sufficient expertise and talent," he said when met by reporters after the closing ceremony of the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Thursday.
He stressed that technical and skills training institutions play a critical role in producing highly skilled technicians and support personnel, mirroring practices in developed countries where graduates are required to undergo skills training before entering the industry.
Commenting on current developments, Dato Sri Roland Sagah shared that several educational institutions in Sarawak have begun offering aerospace-related programmes, including the production of graduates in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) which is expected to start as early as February.
“At i-CATS alone, 28 students are currently pursuing aerospace engineering, and overall it is estimated that about 5,000 students are enrolled in related fields such as science, engineering, finance and accounting across various institutions,” he explained.
He also expressed confidence that this human-capital-centred approach would form a strong foundation for the sustainable growth of Sarawak’s aerospace industry, while ensuring the state remains on track to achieve its development targets by 2036. -UKASnews
