SARAWAK is further intensifying its current efforts on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to develop a technically skilled and industry-ready workforce.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said an allocation of RM96.2 million will be provided to technical training institutions to support their operational expenditure next year.
These technical training institutions include Sarawak Skills, i-CATS University College, Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) campuses and Kolej Laila Taib.
“In addition, RM18 million will be committed for development initiatives including capital expenditure to Sarawak Skills, Advance Automotive Training Centre and the upgrading of Sarawak Skills SAVTI (Sarawak Agriculture Vocational Training Institute) campus,” he said when tabling the 2026 State Budget.
Touching on NextGen TVET, Abang Johari said this programme emphasises industry-based learning and lifelong education thus reinforcing TVET as a foundation for Sarawak’s global competitiveness.
“A sum of RM4.5 million will be provided for the implementation of NextGen Digital and Innovation Talent programme for schools as well as Sarawak Digital and Innovation Talent Acceleration programme,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari said Sarawak will continue to strengthen collaboration between industry players and key economic sectors to ensure its workforce is equipped with industry-relevant skills.
He pointed out that Sarawak’s TVET institutions are working closely with partners in energy, engineering, agriculture and digital technology to co-develop training programmes that reflect real-world demands and evolving market needs.
“Our commitment to industry collaboration is further demonstrated through our active participation in WorldSkills Malaysia Sarawak 2025.
“This biennial competition now serves as a strategic platform to identify and nurture technical talent, with industry partners directly involved in project design and performance evaluation,” he said.
To further advance industry collaboration, Abang Johari said Sarawak is strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem through global partnerships led by SMD Semiconductor.
Key initiatives include AI-enabled power systems developed with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Weeteq and the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSAC), a partnership with Silicon Catalyst to expand global market access for Sarawak-developed technologies, joint work with CSAC on chiplet and heterogeneous integration for applications such as AI and 5G, and the development of Gallium Nitride power electronics prototypes with Cambridge Microelectronics, X-FAB and CSAC.
“Under this Budget, RM18 million will be provided to SMD Semiconductor to accelerate Sarawak’s transformation into a national semiconductor hub,” he added.
