KUCHING: Sarawak Skills and the United Kingdom’s National Open College Network (NOCN) Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on various talent development initiatives.
The MoU was inked in conjunction with the visit to Sarawak Skills Campus, Tabuan Jaya here by Charles Hay, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, on Tuesday (July 19).
Sarawak Skills was represented by executive director Hallman Sabri while Tim Dawkins, head of international business development, represented NOCN Group.
“The MoU is an excellent opportunity for both organisations to synergise their collective expertise and resources to advance talent development.
“Sarawak Skills has a long-established relationship with the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur,” said Hallman later.
“Sarawak Skills and NOCN Group will work together to raise the awareness and status of training programmes delivered by Sarawak Skills, and develop and deliver new training programmes that increase employability and progression opportunities for Sarawakians.
“NOCN Group is a leading UK awarding organisation, licensed by Ofqual (UK government) and as part of this process, Sarawak Skills has become an NOCN approved training organisation, to deliver endorsed programmes and NOCN’s range of over 650 Ofqual recognised qualifications and training programmes in line with regulatory conditions,” he added.
Hallman also pointed out that this latest development was in line with Sarawak Skills’ role as a stakeholder in the transformation of Sarawak’s socioeconomic landscape and the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
“With digital economy and hydrogen economy gaining traction in Sarawak, a key area will be the emphasis on digitalisation and automation to achieve the objectives of improved efficiency and productivity across Sarawak’s main engines of growth (six key economic sectors). An important focus will be sustainable development through renewable energy sources.”
He also emphasised that at Sarawak Skills, a major point of pride was its proven track record in offering globally-recognised programmes from the United Kingdom.
“This is an important part of the wide range of academic, skills and training programmes offered at Sarawak Skills. Since 2001, one of the popular programmes is the Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
“To date, close to 1,000 students have graduated from the programme with an impressive employability rate, especially in the oil and gas industry.”
Meanwhile, Hay said this partnership between NOCN Group and Sarawak Skills was a great example of how British education providers could contribute to Malaysia’s TVET development.
