SCaT Fair a must visit for school leavers
KUCHING: The ongoing Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair is proving to be an ideal platform for youths especially school leavers to gather information on courses available from various higher learning institutions and career opportunities for a brighter future.
For Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia ( STPM) school leaver Saprance Sari, SCaT Fair provides opportunities for youths, especially those living in rural areas to know the direction of their lives after high school.
“This programme has given the younger generation a lot of impact and guidance to find out where they want to continue their studies or work in the future. Through SCaT Fair, the younger generation can find out the options available to them and encourage them to plan their career path and thus prevent the rising rate of unemployment,” said Saprance.
Meanwhile, Form 5 student of St Joseph’s Secondary School Muhd Hashrawee Hasni opines that the fair helps students determine their future studies and careers.
“I am interested to take part in this fair so as to know more about the options available for me after SPM. From this fair, I hope to gain more motivation through advice and talks which will help determine my future and enable me to explore what I want to do in life.
“I am looking forward to continuing my studies in culinary course and aspire to become a world renowned chef,” said
This programme has given the younger generation a lot of impact and guidance to find out more on where they want to continue their studies or work in the future. Through SCaT Fair, the younger generation can find out the options available to them and encouraged them to plan their career path and thus prevent the rising rate of unemployment. Saprance Sari, STPM school leaver
Hashrawee, who was among the 26 students who attended the fair yesterday led by their school counsellor Cheng Yew Phang.
“We were invited to this fair and hopefully by attending this programme students can gain a lot regarding career training that will help them in the future,” added Cheng.
Jointly organised by the Workforce Development Unit (WDU) Chief Minister’s Office and Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (Tegas), the sixth annual SCaT Fair serves as a one- stop centre that seeks to enhance marketability of the younger generation through the provision of opportunities for education, training, employment and financial assistance.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the SCaT Fair 2017 at 10.30am today.
The three- day fair features booths from 71 education and training institutions, both local and international, 60 companies and industries that offer jobs and eight agencies that provide financial assistance.
“In terms of participation from various institutions at SCaT Fair, this is the largest. Last year we only managed to open a total of 138 booths but this year we have 171 booths with some of them coming all the way from Hong Kong and Singapore,” said Tegas chief operating officer Awangku Merali Pengiran Mohamed.
Awangku Merali pointed out that among the highlights at this year’s SCaT Fair are talks by 20 professionals from various fields of expertise including education, training, career and social entrepreneurship. Other sideline activities include Sarawak Fashion Awards, STEM Playground and Youth Got Skills.
“Sarawak Fashion Awards aims to help youths develop their skills in fashion and clothing design with motifs of various local ethnics that can be brought to the international level. We are really fortunate to have local fashion designer and icon of international recognition Dato Tom Abang Saufi as mentor and advisor to this activity,” he added.
Meanwhile, Youth Got Skills will include photography and cooking competitions.
“The photography competition includes journalistic, wedding and make-up artistry photography. We also feature several new activities including the Next Big Chef and The Barista Challenge which is open to high school students and youths statewide.
“As for STEM Playground, it is a space for children and students to play and compete through models and projects in science, engineering and technology that aim to raise awareness of STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematic) among children, students and parents about the importance of STEM in the future,” said Awangku Merali, adding that agencies involved include Petronas, Shell, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC) and DreamCatcher.
He also revealed that there are over 3, 000 job opportunities upfor grabs which job- seekers can find out more about when they attend the three- day SCaT Fair at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) from March 3 to 5.
Awangku Merali advised unemployed graduates and school leavers to grab the golden opportunity to meet employers who will be present to explain about their career and training opportunities available.
“We are very serious and concerned about the future of youths. It is important for us to deliver the right information to them to ensure a brighter future for the younger generation, in line with the government’s efforts to transform Sarawak into a high income and more developed state in year 2020.
“It is hoped that your visit at SCaT Fair will be able to inject inspiration, open minds and provide opportunities to pursue your ambitions as well as the realisation of the state’s aspiration to become a developed and high income state,” he added.