KUCHING: A branch of the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) will be set up in Teng Bukap to cater to students from Serian, Penrissen and Padawan.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the new centre would make it easier for youths in the three areas to gain access to technical and skills-based training closer to home.
He said RM4 million has been allocated for the construction of the facility, while manpower and operational workforce would be provided by CENTEXS.
“This centre will benefit students and youths from Serian, Penrissen and Padawan, especially those seeking opportunities in technical and vocational education and training (TVET),” he said.
Sagah, who is Tarat assemblyman said the proposed project would be developed using his allocation from the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) fund.
He said because the proposed site is going to be on the state land, they need the land and survey department to verify and administer the hand over.
“The State Public Work Department (PWD) is now arranging it. Aside from that, the State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) will also verify if the site is a flood prone area or not and do the proper drainage system.
“The design for the facility has been made and submitted to the Sarawak Building Design Committee (SBDC). Now, we are just waiting for the approval from SBDC before the project is tendered for construction works to start,” he said.
Sagah believes that Teng Bukap is an ideal place for another branch as the present CENTEXS premises in Kuching is far from Serian or Padawan.
“Here, the students from Serian can come through Baki or Link road, and from Penrissen through Jalan Puncak Borneo to Jalan Padawan, which is very near,” he added.
The proposed branch is expected to strengthen the state’s efforts in expanding access to quality TVET education, particularly in areas outside the main urban centres.
With Sarawak continuing to place strong emphasis on talent development and workforce readiness, the setting up of the CENTEXS branch in Teng Bukap is seen as a timely move to prepare more young people for future job demands.
The new facility is also expected to open up wider opportunities for school-leavers and youths to acquire practical skills that are relevant to current industry needs, including technical, digital and hands-on vocational training.
Sagah has on many occasions stressed that TVET plays a crucial role in developing Sarawak’s future workforce, especially as the state moves towards becoming a high-income and innovation-driven economy.
The establishment of this new branch is not only an investment in education, but also for the long-term socio-economic development of the surrounding areas.
Once completed, the CENTEXS branch in Teng Bukap is expected to serve as an important training hub for greater Padawan-Serian corridor, while helping to bring education and skills development opportunities closer to rural and semi-rural communities.
CENTEXS is a technical training institution established in 2014 by the Sarawak State Government through Yayasan Sarawak to produce skilled technical manpower.
