SIBU: The Sarawak Government is overhauling its career guidance approach to ensure programmes like ‘SPEAK: Talent Bridge 2030’ deliver real job placements – not just student exposure.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the priority now is to ensure that every programme implemented delivers a direct impact on graduates’ employability.
“Our students need pathways, not just possibilities. We want programmes like this to truly open doors to real placements, not just exposure,” he said during the closing ceremony of the SPEAK programme at Kingwood Hotel here on Tuesday (Apr 21).
He added that this high-impact approach is crucial to ensure effective alignment between education and industry needs, while also addressing the issue of skills mismatch.
“This commitment reflects the Sarawak Government’s determination to ensure that every talent development initiative delivers tangible returns in the form of employment opportunities, thereby strengthening the state’s workforce readiness,” he said.
He further noted that efforts to enhance SPEAK 2030 are in line with the need to address workforce gaps as outlined in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
At the same time, he emphasised that industry involvement must be strengthened so that it is not merely symbolic, but instead provides clear and structured career pathways for students.
He also called on school counselors to play a more proactive role in helping students secure actual placement opportunities throughout the programme’s implementation.
