KUCHING: The early career guidance programme for Form 5 and Form 6 students needs to be expanded to ensure that the needs of the professional workforce in Sarawak can be met, especially in the fields of digital, renewable energy and new technology.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the initiative will help students choose courses of study that are in line with the state's development direction.

According to him, the need for experts in the fields of digital, information technology (IT), renewable energy and artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in line with the government's efforts to establish an AI institute in Sarawak.

"Many Sarawakians enter university, but some choose courses that are not in line with the needs of the job market in the state.

"We want them to start getting early guidance so that their choice of field is relevant to job opportunities in Sarawak," he told reporters during the Closing Ceremony of the Information and Clarification of Current Issues Programme here on Tuesday.

He also suggested that a special institute be established for Form 6 students as the group's educational methods differ from regular secondary school students.

The effort, he said, requires cooperation between the state government, the Ministry of Education and Yayasan Sarawak to ensure a more structured implementation.

"Form 6 learning methods are different from regular secondary schools, so there needs to be a special guidance programme so that they are more mature in making decisions," he explained.

Datuk Abdullah also added that early career guidance is very important in facing the era of free education at Sarawak Government-owned universities beginning next year, to ensure students choose courses that meet the demands of the state’s employment needs.

Also present were Kuching District Officer, Zaidi Sharkawi, UKAS Deputy Director, Mohamed Faizal Shah Ali, and Director of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Batu Lintang Campus, Dr. Abang Ismail Abang Juhi. -UKASnews

Reporter: Grace John Lee
Translator: Nerissa Sia
Photographer: Ibanez Jeffery Guang