MIRI – Young Sarawakians must stop disregarding technical jobs or those requiring vocational skills, as these jobs are becoming very important throughout Sarawak, said Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot.
The Sarawakian lawmaker said these jobs are also offering big paychecks nowadays.
Speaking at a community function in Kg Pichin, Serian today, he said Sarawakians must stop thinking that only office jobs offer a good future.
“It is sad that only 28% of workers in Sarawak and Malaysia are equipped with technical expertise and vocational skills.
“The number of skilled employees remains very low in our workforce. In countries like Germany, up to 90% of their workers have skills and technical qualifications.
“Here, many parents and students still regard jobs in technical and vocational sectors as those with low wages. That is not the case anymore.
“There are many types of jobs in technical and vocational fields whereby the employers will pay high salaries to those workers capable of technical and vocational skills,” he said.
Riot said students in Sarawak who will be completing their SPM soon should opt for technical and vocational courses after finishing their exams.
The former human resources minister urged parents to encourage their children to take up such courses.
Sarawak, he said, has two existing industrial training institutes, one each in Samarahan and Miri.
He added Serian is set to have such a training institute soon.
“These training institutes are good venues to acquire useful skills that will provide a steady future for the youths.” – The Vibes, February 14, 2022
