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CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the implementation of the National Training Week (NTW) is in line with the State Government’s commitment to empower and strengthen training centres to produce more semi-skilled, skilled and knowledgeable workforce to meet the needs of investors in Sabah.

Thus, he said to achieve that goal, cooperation with the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) and HRD Corp can be implemented in several ways to foster a lifelong learning culture in addition to providing skills training facilities to the people.

“Among them, introducing more training courses that are relevant to the current and future needs of the industry in Sabah. Also, develop tailored training programmes for semi-skilled workers and these programmes can include practical on-the-job training.

“We can also expand access to training through online learning platforms. This will allow more citizens, especially those living in rural areas, to have access to quality training opportunities without having to leave their area.

“Therefore, to realise all these initiatives, close cooperation with Kesuma and HRD Corp is very important. I hope that the NTW can be implemented every year while training or skills programmes continue to be strengthened,” he said when officiating the State-level NTW 2024 at the Sabah Prison Department Complex, Kota Kinabalu, on June 28. His speech was read by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.

The Chief Minister also said that with the support of Kesuma and HRD Corp and related parties, a wider awareness campaign to encourage more people to participate in the training programme could be implemented in the best possible way.

“The State Government is committed to inculcating lifelong learning per the objective of the National Training Week. I am very proud of this initiative because every level of society can be allowed to increase their knowledge, especially with the cooperation of the Sabah Prison Department,” said Hajiji.

Regarding the event, he said as many as 450 free programmes were offered in Sabah in conjunction with NTW 2024 such as training sessions, workshops and seminars specifically to improve the skills and knowledge of Sabahans.

“Therefore, NTW 2024 is the best platform to introduce all these initiatives to the people in Sabah. With the introduction of comprehensive and inclusive training programmes such as those offered at NTW, we can produce a generation of workers who are not only skilled but also globally competitive. 

“Let us together support NTW 2024 and make a lifelong learning culture the main pillar in our journey towards success,” he said.