KUCHING: The Graduates Enhancement Training Sarawak- Work Readiness Programme (GETS-WRP) plays a vital role in the Sarawak government’s efforts to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements.
Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said that this programme aligns with the state’s development mission under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which places human capital development at the forefront of the state’s economic transformation.
“Thus, the GETS-WRP programme is more than just an initiative; it is a promise to our youth that we believe in their potential and are committed to providing them with opportunities to thrive.
“Today’s programme launch represents a key milestone in our collective efforts to address the challenges faced by our graduates in securing meaningful employment and to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements,” he said.
He said this during his opening speech at the launch of GETS-WRP at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Wednesday (Jan 22).
Abdullah, who is also chairman of GETS-WRP, emphasised that the programme participants are the core of this initiative, making it a journey filled with opportunities for growth, learning and discovery.
“Seize this chance to challenge yourselves, acquire new skills, and embrace the experiences that will shape your future.
“Remember, the skills you gain here will not only benefit you but also contribute to the development of our state and beyond,” he added.
He also expressed his appreciation to the programme’s partner organisations, namely Curtin University Malaysia, Excelerate Asia, Jobstreet.com, and all parties involved, for their collaboration and support in making it a success.
“The commitment of these parties in nurturing talent and providing real-world experience is invaluable in ensuring the success of this initiative.
“Together, we are creating a robust ecosystem through collaboration between academia, industry, and government to empower our youth,” he said.
The programms targets 1,000 trainees through three intake sessions in January, April, and July 2025 to ensure a steady flow of participants into the workforce, developing a highly skilled Sarawak workforce capable of meeting local and global challenges.
GETS-WRP is a 12-month training programme focusing on practical training in various industries, consisting of two phases: the Career Enhancement Skills Programme (CESP) for three months and Industrial Training for nine months.
