KUCHING: The Sarawak Skills Development Centre or Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (SSDC) chalked up another milestone yesterday with the launch of a suite of new online programmes to facilitate the development of an agile workforce.
The online programmes were launched by SSDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Husain at the SSDC headquarters in Tabuan Jaya.
According to SSDC in a statement, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and start of the movement control order (MCO) period in March this year, it had implemented online teaching and learning for its students across its campuses and learning centres in Kuching, Mukah and Miri.
“Indeed, the virtual classroom, with a combination of synchronous learning (e.g. real-time lectures) and asynchronous learning (e.g. pre-recorded lectures) and the use of various apps/platforms (e.g. SSDC’s E-Learn platform, Google Classroom, Google Meet, WhatsApp and Zoom) have transformed the SSDC’s teaching and learning ecosystem.
“The online initiatives are part and parcel of SSDC’s mitigation plan, comprising various initiatives to safeguard the interests and well-being of its students, trainees, staff members and various stakeholders,” it said.
SSDC further stressed that the new online programmes were categorised into the following focus areas: Smart Agriculture, Industry Revolution 4.0, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Leadership and Management.
These online programmes are in line with the state government’s post Covid-19 exit economic strategy up to 2030, which will align education and training with the human capital needs of the various economic sectors.
“With the launch of the online programmes, including various upskilling, reskilling and multi-skilling programmes, learners from Malaysia and abroad will be able to acquire industry-relevant knowledge and skills in a ‘Classroom Without Borders’.
“Learners will be able to study at their own pace and upon completion, will be awarded E-Certificate(s),” it added.
Also present at the launching ceremony was SSDC’s executive director Hallman Sabri.
