KENINGAU: A total of 247 trainees from across Sabah benefited from 26 courses and training sessions conducted under 16 programmes at the Sabah Handicraft Centre (PKS) last year.
Deputy Director General of the Strategic Development Sector at the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU JPM), Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Norashiken Haji Ishak said RM2.06 million was allocated to PKS for the implementation of programmes under the Rural Integrated Craft Heritage (RICH) initiative and the Bamboo and Rattan Raw Material Planting (PPBM) programme.
“After eight months of gaining knowledge and skills at PKS, we celebrate and recognise the achievements of trainees who have successfully completed the skills training course,” she said when officiating the Appreciation and Closing Ceremony of the Sabah Native Special Programme (PKAN) at the centre, recently.
Norashiken expressed hope that the knowledge and skills acquired would serve as a catalyst for trainees to continue excelling in their respective fields.
“Hopefully, the momentum of excellence among these trainees will continue, and the potential of young people in the handicraft field will be further developed for more inclusive economic and social growth,” she said.
She emphasised that the Government remains committed to producing knowledgeable, skilled and positive human capital in line with the Madani national development framework, aimed at transforming Malaysia into a developed and sustainable nation.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, she said socio-economic development and poverty eradication efforts remain key national priorities.
In line with national development aspirations, the Federal Government through ICU JPM has provided allocations for various human capital development initiatives in Sabah, including funding under the Sabah Native Special Programme.
Among the achievements recorded are the awarding of the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) to participants in Product Manufacturing and Batik Canting/Stitching Crafts.
Norashiken noted that participants – particularly Native youth and women – have shown significant improvement in skills and competitiveness, making them better prepared to venture into entrepreneurship and the job market.
She also highlighted the success of trainees in producing handicraft products based on local cultural heritage with high commercial value and potential for both local and international markets.
“The implementation of projects like this has helped enhance skills and create income-generating opportunities, enabling participants to improve their standard of living and move out of poverty,” she said.
She expressed confidence that with effective strategies, such programmes would continue to positively impact the socio-economic development of Sabah natives.
Meanwhile, she said Yayasan Sabah, through the Sabah Handicraft Centre as the lead agency in developing the State’s handicraft industry, bears a significant responsibility to further enhance skills among young Sabah Natives to produce highly skilled and innovative workers.
She added that empowering a skilled and innovative local workforce aligns with the Madani Malaysia concept and the nation’s ongoing development agenda.
Norashiken called on all stakeholders to continue supporting the programme’s sustainability and to further strengthen PKAN as a platform that benefits the people of Sabah economically, socially, culturally and in preserving their identity.
The ceremony also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sabah Foundation Group and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Pusaka), marking a strategic step toward strengthening industrial cooperation networks and expanding economic development based on Borneo’s natural resources.
