KUCHING: Sarawak needs a highly skilled workforce to move its economy forward and avoid the middle-income trap, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Premier said the state government was embarking on new economic initiatives such as mitigating climate change, developing hydrogen power and transforming agriculture through technology.
He said graduates must be equipped with the right skills to participate in this economic transformation and earn a high income.
"We don't want to be trapped in a middle-income economy. We must move forward with a workforce that is innovative, creative and highly skilled.
"Skills have value, (and) with those you will get a high salary," he said when launching the Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak-Work Readiness Programme (GETS-WRP) here on Wednesday (Jan 22).
Abang Johari said the programme was expected to train about 1,000 graduates to enhance their skills in line with trends.
He said participants would also be placed in strategic agencies for work experience.
"After that, you can pursue your preferred profession and one day, you may have your own outfit, not only to increase your income but to move our economy forward.
"Then we will not be in the middle-income trap but we will be more innovative, creating products that can compete in the global market," he said.
GETS-WRP is a 12-month on-the-job programme to help graduates acquire practical skills in various industries.
It includes a three-month career enhancement programme covering soft skills and work-readiness knowledge, followed by a nine-month internship in partner organisations to gain experience.
Interns will receive a monthly allowance of RM1,500 during the programme.
Applicants must be Sarawakians aged between 20 and 30 years, unemployed at the time of application, and have a degree or professional qualification from recognised local or overseas institutions.
