113 Students from 12 ethnic groups take part in skills training

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/11/sarawak/7594112&sec=sarawak

Saturday December 11, 2010

113 students from 12 ethnic groups take part in skills training

By ZORA CHAN
zora@thestar.com.my


JOSEPHINE Bujang, 18, may be the only female trainee among 60 others in an automation technician course, but she is not someone who is easily overwhelmed.

Aspiring to be an engineer, this Berawan lass from Rumah Kajan Sijeh, Long Tru, in Tinjar, about four hours by express boat or car from Miri, said she did not take up a childcare-provider course like her peers as she wanted a more challenging career.

“I’m applying for scholarships to further my studies at diploma and degree levels at a private college in Miri,” she told StarMetro after receiving her certificate from Yahos Sdn Bhd in Kuching yesterday.


Graduation: Fatimah (right) presenting a certificate to Betty Laweng, 22, a Kenyah from Sungai Asap for completing the childcare-provider course.
Yahos Sdn Bhd is a training provider appointed by the Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department via the State Planning Unit under the Chief Minister’s Department to train students from minority ethnic groups in Sarawak.

Its skill-based Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) courses are accredited by the Department of Skills Development.

A total of 113 students from 12 ethnic groups in the state joined the programme which had its first intake in July this year.

The ethnic groups they represent are Beketan, Berawan, Kayan, Kelabit, Kenyah, Kiput, Lahanan, Lun Bawang, Murut, Penan, Punan and Sekapan.

A total of 63 students took up the Automation Technician and Mechatronic Level 2 course while the remaining 50 took up the Childcare Provider Level 2 course.

Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah, who officiated at the certificate presentation, said the courses were tailored to meet the needs of industries and the trainees should be able to find employment soon or further their education.

She said the state introduced SKM for the minority groups because of its inclusiveness policy to ensure no ethnic group was left out from the mainstream of development.

Earlier, Yahos Sdn Bhd managing director Natasha Nasa Douglas Uggah said a new course would be introduced next year namely Beautician and Aesthetician Level 1 and 2 to train students in make-up, facial treatment, pedicure, manicure, hair-do and daily operations of a beauty centre.

Another new course would be Culinary Level 1 and 2 to train students to prepare various local and international cuisines, she added.