Sabah Economy Becoming More Diversified, Skilled Workers Needed Across Sectors

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Sabah is moving towards a diversified economy, creating a need for skilled workers not only in the oil and gas sector but also in manufacturing, construction, energy, tourism, modern agriculture, technology and the digital economy.

Sabah Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk James Ratib said the state could not rely solely on foreign workers but instead needed to expand education and skills training opportunities to produce more qualified local talent and meet industry needs.

He said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was among the state government’s key focuses in efforts to strengthen human capital development and provide a workforce that meets industry requirements.

“We want Sabah’s youths to be part of the driving force of the state’s economy, not merely spectators to the development taking place in their own state,” he said in his speech at the Petronas Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorship presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today.

James said when all three parties moved in tandem - with the government providing the ecosystem, educational and training institutions developing talent, and industry creating opportunities for them to grow - it could produce a Sabah workforce that truly meets industry needs.

Meanwhile, James also expressed his appreciation for Petronas’ contribution through the Petronas scholarship, which provides educational opportunities for secondary school students in Sabah for the 2026/2027 session, with 25 students selected as recipients.

He said the latest recipients brought the total number of students who have received the scholarship since its introduction in 2023 to 140, while even more encouragingly, nine recipients were selected to receive full education sponsorships.

He also welcomed Petronas’ initiative through the Kimanis Petroleum Training Centre (KTC) to take in 22 new trainees to pursue the Malaysian Skills Diploma programme in Industrial Instrumentation and Control Systems.

“These fields have strategic value in supporting the needs of modern industries, particularly the oil and gas sector, as well as other fields that are increasingly expanding,” he said, adding that Sabah needed knowledgeable and competitive people, a skilled workforce, and a younger generation that was courageous, competent and ready to lead.

-- BERNAMA