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Kota Kinabalu: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia Chairman Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab said artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace skilled construction workers but rather make them more effective on site.

“Technology is there to assist us, to make things faster and more efficient, but that does not mean employing too many technologies will make our workers redundant.

We need people to run these technologies,” he told a media conference after officiating the 12th Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) and CIDB Technologies Graduation Ceremony, Thursday. 

“I do not think AI will make our graduates redundant. If you employ AI the right way, you will achieve the right result,” he said.

The graduation ceremony held at Sheraton Kota Kinabalu saw 150 young Sabahans graduating under the ABM and CIDB Technologies, covering trades such as welding, scaffolding, piping, painting and blasting.

Yusuf said graduates must first build a strong foundation in their respective construction trades before AI tools can be meaningfully applied.

“When they already have the basics in welding, painting or other construction work, they can then employ AI based on that foundation to make their work even easier.

Without that grounding, how would they know how to use AI correctly on a construction site?” he said.

He said an important goal of the programme is to reduce Malaysia’s dependence on foreign construction workers. 

“If foreign workers come, they receive their salary today and send it back to their home countries tomorrow. The money leaves Malaysia. We want as many local workers as possible in the construction sector, earning higher wages, so that money stays and circulates within our own economy,” he said. 

He noted that skilled welders alone can earn up to RM5,000 a month, while crane operators and machinery technicians also command higher salaries than general labourers.

“The 94 per cent employment rate achieved by past graduates showed that construction skills remain in strong demand, with graduates absorbed into contractors ranging from G1 to G7, oil and gas companies and government and private projects nationwide. 

“Out of every 100 graduates, 94 find jobs. That is a very encouraging figure,” he said.

Additionally, he said all training for school leavers is fully funded by CIDB, with accommodation and meals provided at no cost. Funding comes from levies collected from construction companies, which CIDB returns to the industry in the form of skills training. 

“We want to ensure these young people are not trapped in the cycle of poverty. They can come out, contribute to the nation’s development and secure their own future,” he said. 

He added that while basic training is free for school leavers, companies seeking custom-made programmes tailored to specific industry needs would be required to contribute toward the cost of such training.

Meanwhile, the graduation ceremony also saw two graduates named as TVET Construction Icons in recognition of outstanding careers built through the programme. Syahril Mohd Ariffin, an ABM Wilayah Sabah alumnus in Architectural Drafting, now serves as a Civil and Structure Inspector at Petronas. 

The other, Richard Jupilin, an alumnus of CIDB Technologies Sabah who holds certificates in Blasting and Painting as well as Welding, has built an international career in the offshore industry in Spain and Dubai. 

Eight strategic partner companies also received appreciation certificates for their commitment to providing on-the-job training opportunities to trainees.

Earlier in his speech, Yusuf said a major expansion of CIDB’s training capacity in Sabah is underway with the construction of a new eco-campus in Beringgis, Papar, valued at RM130.6 million. 

The campus, which will be the largest and most modern ABM campus in Malaysia, is designed to accommodate up to 700 trainees at one time and will feature academic blocks, modern workshops, dormitories, a sports complex, a surau and digital learning facilities. 

“The new facility will increase youth training capacity by 73 per cent and construction personnel capacity by 39 per cent compared to the existing centre in Kayu Madang,” he said.

He also spoke about future course offerings, pointing out that the CIDB intends to move toward training in green building, renewable energy and rainwater harvesting. 

“Sustainability is very important. We will pioneer this direction and we welcome strategic partners who are working in this space. If a company specialises in green building but cannot find trainers, come to us. Work with us. We will customise and tailor the training together,” he said. 

Present were CIDB Malaysia Senior General Manager Suhaimi Mansor, among others.