S’wak needs more skilled workers for infrastructure mega projects

KUCHING: Sarawak is facing a shortage of skilled workers, notably welders, owing to the many infrastructure projects being implemented in the state, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said he was informed of the problem by contractors.

“It is also not easy for them to employ foreign workers because of strict immigration rules,” he said when welcoming a courtesy call from i-CATS University College led by its vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi on Tuesday (March 25).

Given this, Uggah called on i-CATS to play a part in overcoming the shortage by training skilled workers.

He said Sarawak was currently implementing many infrastructure projects statewide, including about RM30bil worth of projects under his Infrastructure and Port Development Ministry.

“Coming our way are two gigantic projects, the new Kuching airport and deep-sea port, both at Tanjung Embang,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prof Kadim said i-CATS, a state-owned tertiary institution, was working towards attaining full university status by next year.

He also said the college had a centre to train skilled workers, including welders.