BINTULU: Sarawak aims to develop a skilled workforce of 500,000 by 2030 by strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to align with industry needs.

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn stated that this target is part of the aspirations of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which requires relevant training, recognised certification and skills that match industry demand.

According to him, tangible job opportunities must also be created to ensure that the skills training provided benefits the participants.

“To achieve this target, we must ensure that training is relevant, certification is recognised, skills are matched to industry demand and participants are given real opportunities to enter the workforce,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the launch ceremony of TalentPath Sarawak 2026: Bintulu Series at a hotel here on Sunday.

Dato Sri Roland stated that TalentPath Sarawak 2026 is an initiative by the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) to develop a workforce that is flexible, skilled and ready to meet industry needs.

He noted that the programme provides subsidised training and industry-relevant certification to enhance participants' employability and prepare them for the requirements of the modern workplace.

Meanwhile, Dato Sri Roland Sagah said Bintulu holds a strategic position in the implementation of TalentPath Sarawak due to its strong industrial base, which encompasses the energy, petrochemical, manufacturing, construction and heavy industry sectors.

According to him, these sectors require direct technical skills for facility construction, equipment installation, routine maintenance and turnaround activities.

Also present were MEITD Deputy Permanent Secretary Caroline Cleophas Joseph, and the Director of TVETMARA Bintulu Dr Mohd Syukri Abdullah and other dignitaries. -UKASnews