MoU to reintroduce welding course in Kolej Vokasional Likas

Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd (SSPC) and the Ministry of Education yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to reintroduce Shell Malaysia’s Projek LINK course (which stands for ‘Latihan Industri Kimpalan’) at Kolej Vokasional Likas, here starting this year.

The MoU will see SSPC contributing RM90,000 towards the cost of consumables, equipment and other learning materials for the students.

In addition, Shell will also contribute towards the development of the welding curriculum and the corresponding assessment programme for it to meet the oil and gas industry standards.

According to SSPC general manager Prithipal Singh, who signed the MoU on behalf of the company, the collaboration with the Ministry of Education on the LINK programme first started with Kolej Vokasional Miri in 1989.

Since its inception it has now produced more than 1,000 graduates with most of them absorbed in the oil and gas industry.

“This is a fine example of a sustainable long-term impact, private-public sector driven partnership in human capital development that we can be really proud of. Shortage of skilled and trained workers in the oil and gas industry is always an issue, and this is also partly a ributed to the demanding standards set by the industry.

“This programme is one of the ways where we can help address this issue while at the same time contribute effectively towards the development of local talents for the industry,” added Prithipal Singh.

Prithipal further added that besides Kolej Vokasional Miri in Sarawak, the program has been held at Kolej Vokasional Bintulu since 2012 and it has to date produced close to 100 graduates.

Zainuren bin Haji Mohd Nor, Director of the Technical and Vocational Division of the Ministry of Education, signed on behalf of the Ministry.

On hand to witness the MoU signing was Datuk Dr Yusof bin Yacob, Minister of Education and Innovation.