STA Training equips workforce for forest industry

KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Association ( STA) subsidiary STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT) has continued to train the workforce for the forest industry in the state.

STA chairman Pemanca Datuk Wong Kie Yik said more and more forest workers were assessed as competent last year, in compliance with Section 51 of the Forest Ordinance, 2015.

“I am pleased to inform all members that STAT has also been appointed as a training provider under Rule 3 of The Forest (Trained Workmen) Rules, 2015,” Wong said in his message for the STA annual general meeting yesterday, which was read by STA honorary secretary Dato Henry Lau.

For forests managers, Wong said there is the post-graduate diploma in applied science, conducted in collaboration with Lincoln University, New Zealand, adding that students in the fourth cohort are on track to graduate next year.

“In view of the lack of trained/ skilled staff required for implementing activities to meet the requirements of certification of your forest management units, I urge all members to nominate your staff to participate in the two levels of training programmes offered by STAT,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wong said STA Mutual Sdn Bhd (STAM) embarked on a few projects last year.

“STAM has not only awarded scholarships to students undertaking their studies in local tertiary institutions, but also to outstanding students in two vocational schools – Institut Kemahiran Mara ( Mara Skills Institute) and Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kota Samarahan ( Kota Samarahan Industrial Training Institute),” he said.

Wong said STAM also gave out cash awards for the first time last year to students who excelled in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia ( SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).

“This initiative received an overwhelming response and 618 students received the cash awards. STAM has several projects currently in the pipeline, this time targeting schools and students in the concession areas of STA members. These projects are expected to be completed in year 2017,” he said.

Among those present at the AGM were STA honorary treasurer Philip Choo and STA hill logging committee chairman Datuk Seri Law Kiu Kiong.