SKM courses to be available in ADTEC Bintulu this July
MIRI: The Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions (Sarawak Skills) has opened the recruitment of new students for the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) courses at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) in Bintulu, with the enrolment to kick off this July.
According to Sarawak Skills chief strategic officer Mohamad Isham Fauzi, this is the first collaboration between the federal and state governments for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for the creation of a government-to-government (G2G) understanding.
“Sarawak Skills will offer SKM courses, with the first phase of students taking office management, welding, and electrical wiring course, and the training being conducted at ADTEC Bintulu Campus.
“For the second phase, we plan to open courses such as piping, automotive and other related ones, which are important to supply a highly skilled workforce to the oil and gas industry in Sarawak.
“Thanks to the Ministry of Human Resources for giving us the opportunity to open SKM courses and for approving the use of existing facilities provided by the federal government.
“Therefore, we do not need to get a new building, so we can save taxpayer’s money,” he told reporters when met during a Sarawak Skills and i-CATS University College’s ‘Miri Aidilfitri 2024’ gathering held here recently.
Mohamad Isham added that with the courses offered at ADTEC Bintulu, it would be more convenient for the nearby students living in Bintulu, Tatau, Mukah, or even Miri, to obtain SKM certification.
“After this we will be able to increase the number of skilled workers because there are many industries here (in Bintulu), but we have yet to meet the supply of sufficient labour for related industries.
“Also, by setting up more branch locations, we can create opportunities for all our youths, regardless of race and economic backgrounds,” he said.
On other developments, Mohamad Isham said Sarawak Skills and i-CATS Miri would have additional premises to accommodate the increasing number of students – namely the former Sarawak Shell Berhad satellite office in Lutong here.
“The number of Sarawak Skills and i-CATS Miri students who are housed in our original premises is close to 500 students, and the existing facilities are not sufficient to accommodate them.
“Therefore, we took over Shell’s old satellite office building, and have received approval for renovations. The block should be ready for use between the third or fourth quarter of next year, and we expect Sarawak Skills and i-CATS Miri to be able to accommodate up to 1,000 students at one time.”
Also present at the gathering was Sarawak Skills Miri Campus director Syuhaira Mohd Zin and Sarawak Skills Agriculture Vocational Training Institute (SAVTI) manager Maccolin Jengok.