New PPKS Mukah expected to be completed by 2019 — Abdul Aziz

KUCHING: Construction of the new Sarawak Skills Development Centre ( PPKS) in Mukah has started and is expected to be completed by 2019.

PPKS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain said the new campus, which can accommodate 700 students, is developed by the state government and will be equipped with various facilities.

“Apart from that, PPKS Mukah will also be offering programmes such as electrical, mechanical, welding, information technology as well as new programmes such as metallurgy,” he said at the 20th PPKS and International College of Advanced Technology (i- CATS) convocation officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) here yesterday.

He pointed out that the metallurgy programme was introduced with the aim of fulfilling demand for industrial manpower in Samalaju.

“This programme will be developed with strategic partners from United Kingdom, the state government and the British High Commission Office in Kuala Lumpur,” he revealed.

On programmes offered by PPKS, Abdul Aziz said the training institution is also a Centre of Excellence in IT (COET) and is carrying out programmes related to Industry 4.0, such as the National Empowerment in Certification and Training for Next Generation Workers (NECTGen-Industry 4.0).

“We also offer short- term courses and certificates in cyber security, Internet of Things, Big Data, vertical integration and cloud computing,” he said, adding that the courses were fully sponsored by Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad ( PSMB).

A total of 659 out of 896 students received their certificates and diplomas from Abang Johari during the convocation.

The ceremony also saw awards presented to Nomi Delo, a Business Administration diploma graduate who won the i- CATS President Cup 2017 while Electronic Product Development diploma graduate Broerslers Rinah and Welding Technology Management diploma graduate Rebecca Rudang Paul won the Tvet Industry Trophy 2017.

The awards, which were sponsored by Petronas, also saw the trio receiving RM1,000 each.

A Nursing Round Cup ( Piala Pusing Kejuruwatan) was also awarded to Ching Fong Fong and Janet Liew Shaan Tze.

Also present were PPKS executive director Hallman Sabri and i- CATS chief executive Mohd Isham Fauzi.