KUCHING: The Jerayawara UP_TVET with the School Community Programme 2025 has become a key platform in raising public awareness about the importance of human capital development in the country.
Director-General of Skills Development at the Department of Skills Development (JPK), Zuleah Darsong, said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is no longer seen as a second option, but rather as one of the main choices within the national education landscape.
“Therefore, the organisation of such a programme is highly significant in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of human capital development, especially among school students, parents and youth,” she said.
She said this in a speech read by the Sarawak Regional Director of Skills Development, Donny Sadin Kachon, during the closing of the Jerayawara UP_TVET with the School Community Programme 2025 at Yahos School of Skills here on Wednesday.
She added that the programme, organised by JPK Sarawak Region and Yahos School of Skills, brought together around 20 secondary schools from the Kuching area, as well as Bau and Serian, with over 600 students, teachers and members of the public attending.
“This also proves that interest in the skills sector is growing and receiving an overwhelmingly positive response,” she said.
She stated that the UP_TVET Portal was promoted during the event – a vital initiative providing a centralised, inclusive and accessible application route for all students interested in joining TVET programmes nationwide.
According to her, the portal also supports the creation of TVET Big Data, a key component in the digitalisation strategy for skills education information.
“I greatly appreciate the exciting activities such as skill competitions, open interviews, skill demonstrations and exhibitions from agencies and training institutions.
“These activities provide hands-on experiences for students and visitors to better understand the potential of the skills sector.
“I hope initiatives like this can be expanded and continued regularly nationwide to nurture more competent, skilled and competitive young generations,” she added.
Meanwhile, Yahos Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Natasha Nasa Douglas Uggah, shared that the programme also featured various engaging activities, including demonstrations on making spiral curry puffs, preparing mushroom soup and garlic bread, and facial massages.
She said a cooking competition open to secondary school students was also held, along with various exhibitions, including culinary displays, aimed at exposing students to the field and showcasing the talents of Yahos’ students themselves.
“We also saw exhibitions from agencies such as the Advanced Technology Training Center (ADTEC) Bintulu, Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) Kuching Branch, Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Kota Samarahan, ILP Miri, ILP Serian, MARA Skills Institute (IKM) Kuching, GIATMARA Bandar Kuching, SALCRA Bajo Training Centre, Teratak Kayangan, and PERKESO.
“We are very grateful to all accompanying teachers, Yahos staff, JPK officers, and all involved parties who worked together to make this programme a success,” she said.
