KUCHING – Education authorities in Sarawak are prioritising the expansion of early career planning programmes for secondary school students to address the state’s growing demand for skilled professionals. The initiative specifically targets Form 5 and Form 6 students, aiming to steer them toward fields critical to the region’s economic future.
Datuk Abdullah Syed, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Public Relations Unit), emphasised that proper guidance is essential to align student choices with Sarawak’s strategic development needs. He highlighted that while many students pursue higher education, some select courses that do not match the state’s employment requirements.
The push comes as Sarawak intensifies its focus on developing advanced sectors, including plans to establish an artificial intelligence research institute. This transformation is generating increased demand for expertise in digital technology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).
He explained that the objective is to provide students with accurate information from the outset, ensuring their academic choices correspond with emerging job opportunities within the state. This approach is seen as vital for building a sustainable local talent pipeline.
A key proposal involves creating a dedicated academy specifically for Form 6 students. Officials argue that this cohort has distinct learning requirements compared to the general secondary school system, necessitating a tailored counselling and career advisory programme.
The Deputy Minister stressed that successful implementation will require coordinated efforts between the Sarawak government, the federal Ministry of Education, and the Sarawak Foundation. He described this collaboration as crucial for creating a systematic and effective career guidance framework.
The timing of this initiative is particularly significant with the upcoming introduction of free higher education at state-run universities beginning next year. This policy change makes informed course selection even more critical to ensure public investment in education yields maximum economic returns.
The remarks were delivered during the closing ceremony of the Information Sharing and Current Affairs Program, an event attended by educational leaders and local officials. Among those present were Kuching District Officer Zaidi Shakawi and Batu Lintang Teachers’ College Principal Dr. Abang Ismail.
This focus on human capital development forms part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to prepare its workforce for a technology-driven economy. By intervening at the secondary education level, the government hopes to reduce skill mismatches and retain local talent within key growth industries.
The planned career guidance expansion represents a proactive step toward securing Sarawak’s economic sovereignty. It acknowledges that future prosperity depends not only on creating job opportunities, but also on ensuring its population possesses the requisite skills to fill them.
