KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs a highly skilled workforce to support the development of various sectors in the state, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
The Deputy Chief Minister II said Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education must continue to be strengthened to create a skilled workforce capable of driving infrastructure and industry toward achieving their long-term objectives.
The state Finance Minister said the need for highly skilled talent is increasingly important as Sabah explores growth in the energy, manufacturing, technology, logistics, tourism and digital economy sectors.
“Investments and industries can be developed, but ultimately human talent drives sustainable progress,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the ConocoPhillips STEM Forward 2026 programme at the Sabah State Library in Tanjung Aru here.
According to Masidi, Sabah aims for local youths not only to participate in available opportunities but also to become leaders in high-value industries in the future.
In this regard, he said the state government will continue supporting efforts to strengthen STEM education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), while providing pathways for local talent to enter industries that require specialised skills.
Masidi also recognised ConocoPhillips Malaysia's commitment to developing STEM talent in Sabah, noting that more than 10,000 students have benefited from the STEM ecosystem established by the company through various initiatives, including STEM Forward.
He said the programme not only exposes students to science, technology, engineering and innovation but also helps them understand real-world industry opportunities and experiences.
ConocoPhillips Malaysia president Connor Dunn said the company's long-term investment in Sabah includes supporting local talent development to ensure Sabahans are equipped to seize opportunities created by economic growth.
He said ConocoPhillips is strengthening Sabah's future talent pipeline through its STEM Forward 2026 initiative, aimed at promoting energy literacy, innovation and career readiness among students.
The programme, implemented in partnership with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), features two core components: Energy4Me, which introduces students to energy-related concepts through science-based learning, and Robotics Outreach & Advancement Readiness (ROAR), which develops problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills through robotics activities.
ConocoPhillips also handed over STEM learning modules to the Sabah Education Department for use in schools statewide. The modules feature Sabah-specific content and real-world examples to enhance STEM learning and teaching.
