Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will strengthen human capital development under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Roadmap to produce more skilled workers for future industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology and other high-impact strategic sectors.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said developing local talent remains a key priority to ensure Sabahans are equipped to fill high-quality jobs created through new investments and the expansion of strategic economic sectors, to produce more engineers, technologists, skilled technicians, data scientists, AI specialists and industry leaders.
His speech, delivered by Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick at the presentation of 2026 Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) assistance to Sabah trade unions here on Monday, said the changing employment landscape requires trade unions to embrace digitalisation, support upskilling initiatives and comply with international standards.
Hajiji said the agenda aligns with SMJ 2.0, which places Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) at the forefront of developing a highly skilled workforce for sectors such as energy, oil and gas, the blue economy, tourism, advanced manufacturing and green technology.
He said the Madani Government has allocated RM6.1 million for the nationwide implementation of PHEKS this year, including RM310,000 for 38 trade unions in Sabah, urging recipients to use the funds responsibly to strengthen organisational management, improve members' competencies and implement programmes that benefit workers.
