‘PPKS working with govt to advance human capital devt’
KUCHING: Sarawak Skills Development Centre ( PPKS) is persistent in producing quality human capital to complement initiatives spearheaded by the state government to accelerate the pace of development, including digital economy.
In stating this, its chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Aziz Hussain said PPKS takes great pride in complementing the government in its ongoing effort to develop the intellectual capital of the populace.
“As stakeholders in the development of our populace and state, it is of utmost importance that we ‘work as one’, to advance the noble cause of human capital development.
“We must be united in our quest to produce a qualified and competent workforce, to achieve the aforementioned objectives highlighted by the chief minister,” he said during the inaugural ‘Industry Engagement Symposium’ held at Grand Margherita Hotel here yesterday.
Abdul Aziz, who is also the president of International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i- CATS), noted that recently, the chief minister announced that the state government will spearhead numerous initiatives to accelerate the pace of development.
Areas of focus include rural infrastructure development, the digital economy, affordable housing, light rail transit ( LRT) and the development of various industry sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism and petrochemicals.
“For us to advance our mutual objectives of human capital development and nation building, we must thrive, not just survive in today’s ever-changing and vibrant global economy. In this era of globalisation, we must not live in a cocoon, oblivious to the need to change. Embracing change is at the heart of the vibrant canvas of today’s global economy.
“With regard to change readiness, it is a point of pride that here in Sarawak, many of us from the government and industry are quick to appreciate our role as stakeholders, and step up to the plate, to facilitate the transformation of Sarawak into a high-income and developed state,” Abdul Aziz said.
He added initiatives such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and the Sarawak Socio-Economic Transformation Plan (STEP) will generate a host of career opportunities for the present and future generations of the workforce.
PPKS offers various Malaysian Skills Certificate (Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia – SKM) and Malaysian Skills Diploma ( Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia – DKM).
“New programmes have been planned together with the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres ( FMSDC) such as the Malaysian Meister Programme ( MMP) in Mechatronics, Electrical and Electronics and in Automotive.
“Recently, PPKS, as a Centre of Excellence in Technology (CoET), was granted approval to conduct the National Empowerment in Certification and Training for Next Generation Workers (NECTGen - Industry 4.0) Programme for Human Resources Development Fund ( HRDF) levy- contributing companies.
Meanwhile, PPKS executive director Hallman Sabri said the institute strives to achieve its mission to produce qualified and competent workforce through continuous learning and development.
“PPKS will intensity collaboration with various industries and foster closer links with industry stakeholders. We have been actively engaging with the industries and focusing on greater role of both parties on education and training programmes and internship opportunities.
“With the ongoing efforts to promote keen interest amongst the industries in the training of their workforce and improve their competency level, PPKS plans to organise similar programmes in other towns in Sarawak for the benefit of our members and the industry.”
Commenting on the symposium, he said participants will deliberate on various key issues relevant to the employers and the training opportunities for the workforce, such as the HRDF in human capital development, the benefits of apprenticeship schemes, the importance of skills enhancement and the future of work-based learning.
As stakeholders in the development of our populace and state, it is of utmost importance that we ‘work as one’, to advance the noble cause of human capital development. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Aziz Hussain, PPKS chairman