KUCHING: The Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS) programme, an initiative started by the state government in 2019, has been renamed to Graduates’ Enhancement Training Sarawak – Work Readiness Program (GETS-WRP).
In a statement, GETS said the GETS-WRP, administered and delivered by Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence Sdn Bhd (SCOPE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak, is designed to further equip Sarawakian graduates with the relevant skills, knowledge, and work experience needed to transition successfully into the workforce.
“The GETS Programme has undergone revision and restructuring this year due to technology industries and market evolvement, ensuring our graduates remain competitive with regularly updated skills,” it said.
It added that GETS-WRP is crucial in addressing graduate unemployment and preparing young Sarawakians for a skilled workforce. It will be a 12-month on-the-job training programme aimed at helping graduates, particularly those from Sarawak, acquire practical skills in various industries.
“This programme contributes to the state’s broader agenda of digital transformation and the development of a skilled workforce aligned with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.
“Under GETS-WRP, interns will receive monthly allowances of RM1,500 and internship opportunities in both public and private sectors, focusing on soft skills, leadership skills, and team-building training,” it said.
It said the revised GETS-WRP is a one-year programme consisting of two phases, namely the three-month Career Enhancement Skills Program (CESP) and the nine-month internship or on-the-job training.
Following the completion of CESP, participants are placed into a 9-month internship/on-the-job training at one of GETS-WRP’s partner organisations where interns will gain real-world experience in a professional environment, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.
The Core Elements of GETS-WRP are:
Employability Skills: Enhancing graduates’ employability by building the skills required in today’s competitive job market.
Real-world Work Experience: Providing hands-on work exposure through internships, allowing participants to apply the skills learned in a practical setting.
Internships and On-the-job Training: Offering structured internships for real-world learning and skill application in diverse industries.
Transition from Academia to Workforce: Guiding graduates through the shift from academic learning to professional work environments.
Customized and Contextualized Training: Tailoring training modules to meet the specific needs of local organizations, governance agencies, and the unique Sarawakian environment.
Youth Confidence Building: Developing confidence and a positive sense of self among participants as they embark on their professional journeys.
Key objectives of GETS-WRP include:
Enhancing Employability: GETS-WRP aims to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills through practical, on-the-job training. This helps bridge the gap between academic qualifications and real-world job demands, increasing their chances of securing permanent employment.
Supporting Economic Growth: By training graduates in skills relevant to both public and private sectors, GETS-WRP contributes to building a skilled workforce that can support Sarawak’s broader economic development goals.
Addressing Graduate Unemployment: The programme offers temporary employment to reduce graduate unemployment, with a focus on long-term job placement through collaboration with government agencies and private companies.
Learning Outcomes of GETS-WRP include:
Professional Work Experience: The programme offers real-world, on-the-job training in various sectors, enhancing graduates’ understanding of workplace dynamics, problem-solving, and industry practices.
Soft Skills Development: Graduates improve essential soft skills, including communication, teamwork, time management, and adaptability, which are critical for success in public and private sector roles.
Leadership and Innovation: Through structured training, GETS-WRP aims to nurture leadership qualities and innovative thinking, preparing graduates to take on leadership roles in the future, particularly within Sarawak’s emerging digital economy.
Career Readiness: With exposure to different industries and job environments, participants leave the programme more prepared for long-term employment, with a greater understanding of career expectations and networking opportunities.
Meanwhile, eligibility requirements for interns to apply for GETS-WRP are that they must be Sarawakians aged between 20-30 years and unemployed at the time of application; hold at least a degree (with a CGPA of 2.8 or higher) or a professional qualification from a recognized local or overseas institution; must successfully pass the interview process; and have not participated in any previous GETS-WRP.
With a total budget allocation of RM23 million for 1000 interns/graduates in 2025, GETS said the programme targets 1,000 interns, with recruitment spread over three intakes, namely January 2025, April 2025, and July 2025.
Since its inception, the GETS Program has received a positive response, and more than 35% of the interns have found permanent jobs.
