KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs a highly educated workforce with the skills needed to bring economic growth to the state, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
As such, he said, his administration continues to focus on its human capital development agenda as the core pillar to turn Sabah into a developed and competitive state, with specific emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Hajiji said developing quality, highly-skilled human capital is the most important long-term investment to ensure Sabah’s youth contribute directly to economic growth.
“Sabah needs a local workforce that is not only highly educated but also skilled and ready to face the challenges of industry,” he said at the PETRONAS 2025 Education Sponsorship Awards presentation ceremony here on Monday (Aug 4).
Sabah Assembly Speaket Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya presenting a sponsorship award to a student during thePETRONAS 2025 Education Sponsorship Award Presentation ceremony in Kota Kinabalu.
His speech was read by Sabah Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya.
Hajiji thanked PETRONAS for its continued commitment to developing human capital in Sabah through various education and skills training programmes.
“The state government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan 1.0, places serious emphasis on human capital development.
“I am confident that by investing in education and the development of Sabah’s youth, PETRONAS also helps the state to build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive future.
“Through these ongoing efforts, we can see more children from Sabah entering the (skilled workforce), contributing to the development of this state,” he added.
Hajiji said the state government has allocated RM1.33bil to develop human capital, including RM848.26mil for education assistance and RM485mil for talent and skills development programmes.
To empower the TVET sector, Hajiji said Sabah is now seeing developments such as the recognition of the Kimanis Petroleum Training Centre (KTC) as an accredited institution under the Code of Practice for TVET Programme Accreditation.
He said KTC is able to provide quality training to meet the workforce needs of the industry, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
“A total of 20 new trainees will commence their Malaysia Skills Diploma programme at KTC, marking the institution’s capability to produce a skilled workforce for the booming oil and gas sector as well as other rapidly growing sectors,” he added.
He said the state was also focused on engaging local youths in technical fields, not only to meet the demands of traditional sectors such as construction and manufacturing, but also to compete in new areas such as the digital economy, tourism and modern agriculture.
“TVET is a key choice and pathway to a stable and high-value career in the future economy,” he added.
