Traditional career paths no longer enough for Sarawak’s skilled workforce push, says Sagah

KUCHING (Sept 23): Conventional courses and job titles are no longer sufficient as Sarawak moves towards developing a highly skilled workforce, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said as such school counsellors need to keep their career guidance up to date to ensure students are exposed to emerging industries and the skills required in a rapidly changing economy.

He said counsellors should familiarise themselves with new opportunities emerging in areas such as satellite technology and integrated circuit (IC) chip design, which are among the skills needed not only in Sarawak but globally.

“Go back to your schools and revisit your career guidance syllabus.

“Look at the latest brochures, look on the internet. You can find so many new things which you never even dreamed of,” he said when closing the ‘Sistem Pesanan Kerjaya’ (SPEAK): Talent Bridge 2030 Kuching Series here.

Citing the ministry’s recently launched TalentPath Sarawak Programme, which adopts a ‘Train and Place’ concept to equip participants with industry-relevant competencies and pathways towards further education or employment, Sagah said industry engagement would continue to be strengthened.

“We will also expose our school counsellors to the changing needs of the labour market to ensure every young Sarawakian is given the same opportunity to build a bright future,” he said.

He called on higher education institutions in the state to review their programmes and offer courses relevant to Sarawak’s future needs rather than relying solely on traditional offerings.

Sagah said financial constraints remained among the strongest barriers to further education and skills training, while students tended to be more receptive to career pathways that offered clear prospects for income and job stability.

He noted that parents played a significant role in influencing students’ choices after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

“Unfortunately, in many rural areas, the parents do not know how to advise their children on their career pathways.

“These are the things that we have to look at, because our role is to connect these students to the opportunities that are available,” he said.

Sagah pointed out the Sarawak government is supporting this effort through initiatives such as the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) for state-owned institutions, which covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend to eligible students to support their basic living expenses throughout the duration of their studies.

“In addition, my ministry offers the Special Bumiputera Programme (PKB) for technical skills training, covering tuition fees, accommodation, meal and student allowances, as well as a one-off transportation allowance,” he said.

On SPEAK, Sagah said the initiative serves as a social and educational movement aimed at strengthening the link between schools, industries, and students.

“Though SPEAK, we will move beyond traditional career guidance.

“SPEAK serves to empower and enhance school counsellors and students with more current, practical, and industry-informed career information that reflects where the jobs are, what skills are needed, and where the opportunities are emerging,” he said.

He also called on industry partners to play a more active role in shaping the talent they would eventually need to employ.

“Help us shape the talent that you want to hire because you will need them,” he said.