KUCHING: Sarawak is stepping up efforts to meet its target of 30% highly-skilled workers in its workforce by 2030, says Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.
The state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said the figure represented the government's commitment to giving young people a future in Sarawak by ensuring they have the required skills and pathways to succeed.
However, he said there was still a gap between career guidance and industry needs, while financial constraints remained a barrier to further education and skills training.
"School counsellors are often disconnected from real-time industry shifts.
"Many still rely on outdated career brochures and generic job titles that no longer reflect the modern economy," he said when closing the Career Guidance System (SPEAK): Talent Bridge programme here on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Sagah also noted that parents in rural areas often did not know how to advise their children on career pathways.
"Our role is to connect students to the opportunities available. We need to strengthen the bridge between our schools, industries and students," he said.
As such, Sagah said the SPEAK programme served to provide school counsellors and students with practical, industry-informed career information reflecting current job and skill requirements as well as emerging opportunities.
He said his ministry supported this effort through initiatives such as the Free Tertiary Education Scheme for Sarawakian students at state-owned universities and Program Khas Bumiputra for technical skills.
In addition, the ministry recently launched Talentpath, a train-and-place initiative giving participants relevant competencies and clear pathways to further education or employment.
"We will continue to strengthen industry engagement and expose our school counsellors to the changing needs of the labour market to ensure every young Sarawakian is given the same opportunity to build a brighter future," Sagah said.
