896 graduate from PPKS, i-CATS

KUCHING: A total of 896 students graduated from the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) and International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS) during a convocation ceremony in Kuching yesterday. Held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), it saw Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Datuk Abang Openg as the guest of honour for the event.

“Technical and vocational education training (TVET) has become a priority for the government in producing human capital that are competent to support various initiatives related to the development of the state.

“For this, the government urges that industries also play an active role in training and increasing the skill level of TVET students,” he said. Using Germany as an example, he said they are trained three days in the industry and two days in the training centre weekly for three years. “The role of the industry in developing human capital is huge and I hope that the ‘dual training system’ can be introduced in Sarawak.

“This era is an exciting one, especially for Sarawak, as the state government has implemented various initiatives to develop the state’s economy,” he said. Meanwhile, PPKS chairman and i-CATS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Abdul Aziz Dato Husain said that the construction of the new PPKS building in Mukah has commenced and is expected to be completed by 2019.

“This campus will be able to accommodate 700 students and will be equipped with various facilities as well as providing programmes such as electrical, mechanical, and information technology. “One of the programmes, which is metallurgy, is aimed towards fulfilling the industrial manpower requirements in Samalaju. “This programme will be developed together with strategic partners from the United Kingdom, state government and the British High Commission Office in Kuala Lumpur,” said Aziz.