ABOUT 20 per cent of Sarawak graduates have sought better wages and roles aligned with their qualifications elsewhere.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said while workforce sustainability is a global challenge, Sarawak faces unique structural hurdles.
“Furthermore, 2024 data reveals that 253,600 individuals remain outside the labour force, primarily due to caregiving and family responsibilities, representing a significant pool of untapped potential,” he said.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Sagah added that while programmes by the Sarawak government, such as the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) and Graduates Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS), support entry into the workforce, retaining talent beyond the early career stage remains difficult due to wage gaps and skill mismatches.
To address this, he said the state government has initiated the Sarawak Talent Development Policy and Framework Study to provide a data-driven roadmap for strengthening the state’s talent ecosystem.
The study is led by Ernst & Young Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), and the Sarawak Premier’s Office.
The key deliverables of this study include:
i. A comprehensive Talent Development Policy and Framework;
ii. A sector-based workforce analysis;
iii. A competitive Sarawak Employment Package to address wage gaps;
iv. A Human Resource Council framework to strengthen governance; and
v. Robust systems for workforce data monitoring and reporting.
“Our mission is to facilitate the movement of Sarawakians into high-value employment, directly translating into improved household incomes,” he said.
