73 ‘modern farmers’ graduate, now armed with skills, knowledge

KUCHING: Core Human Resources Development Sdn Bhd has produced its first batch of ‘modern farmers’ equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to further expand the state’s agriculture and aquaculture industries.

Its chairman Robert Malong said the trainees had undergone seven months of classroom courses at their centre and another two months of practical trainings at various government departments and private companies.

“We have a long term plan to provide quality education to youths especially those from the rural areas of Sarawak,” said Robert during their inaugural graduation ceremony here yesterday.

He added that the company (Core Human Resources Development) was dedicated to bring greater benefits to the people of Sarawak and hoped that they would be able to offer more certified short courses in the near future.

The company is funded by the Human Resources Development Fund Berhad (a wing under the Ministry of Human Resources).

Robert hoped that more funding would be made available for them to ensure their sustainability.

With more financial assistance, the management, he added would have the means to further improve their facilities in Kota Sentosa and to accommodate more trainees as well as employing more trainers.

“We had 75 students (73 managed to graduate) coming from all over Sarawak in our first batch in May 2016,” he added.

With more funding, he said the centre would also be able to effectively promote their aims and mission to youths in the rural areas.

Meanwhile, Sylvester Ramadan on behalf of his graduating peers, said the course gave them a major stepping stone in life.

“The certificate is a tool for us to open doors of opportunities related to agriculture and aquaculture,” he said.

Armed with the newly acquired skills and knowledge, the graduates would be more confident to either start their own modern farming business or apply for jobs at existing companies, he added.