Works Ministry strives to boost nation’s development via youth engagement
MIRI: A series of ‘Career Day and Engagement Session with Ministry of Works’ would be conducted in various areas across Sarawak next year.
According to Works Minister Baru Bian, the programme is in line with the ministry’s objective of driving the country’s infrastructure development through the production of more skilled manpower in the construction industry.
“A total of 1,500 trainees have completed skills-training under the Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) in Sabah and Sarawak this year.
“The participation target for both states is similar next year, with 750 participants each for Sarawak and Sabah. There will be a special arrangement where we will set aside some 200 seats for the interested youths in Lawas,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of the programme at a basketball court in Lawas yesterday.
Baru, who is Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said he had discussed with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and ABM regarding the coverage of this programme to go beyond Lawas and into other areas like Selangau, Limbang, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.
“The programme in Lawas today would be the first series and similar programmes would be conducted in other places next year.
“Through this programme, the youths particularly those living in the rural areas, should be able to get the latest information regarding career and training opportunities in the country.”
According to him, the most popular career option in the country’s construction industry at the moment is machine operator.
“I believe that machine operators are also in high demand in other countries too.”
In response to a question about any plan to set up another ABM centre in Lawas, Baru said there was none at the moment, in view of Sarawak and Sabah each having its own ABM centre.
“I personally feel that the existing ABM centres are more than enough to meet the youths’ demand for skills training development.
“However if there is high demand, the federal government should consider having another similar centre for Lawas in the future.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Career Day and Engagement Session with Ministry of Works’ programme also involved the participation of the ministry’s agencies such as CIDB and ABM, as well as other government department and agencies.