KUCHING: There is an acute shortage of skilled workers, notably welders, due to the many infrastructure projects being implemented in the state now.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this to a group from the i-CATS University College led by its vice chancellor and president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi at his office on Tuesday (March 25).
“I have been told of this problem by contractors. It is also not easy for them to employ foreigners due to strict immigration rules.
“So I hope i-CATS University College can play a role here to overcome this woe,” he said.
Uggah said Sarawak under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is now actively implementing many massive infrastructure projects statewide.
Elaborating, he said his Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development alone had about RM30 billion worth of such projects at hand.
“Coming our way are two gigantic projects. They are the new airport for Kuching and the new deep sea port both at Tanjung Embang. So our Premier has some very big tasks for I-CATS,” he added.
On another note, Dr Mohamad Kadim said the university college hoped to attain full university status by next year.
“We are working very seriously toward this. I-CATS University College is a state-owned tertiary institution as well.
“It is owned by Yayasan Sarawak its major shareholder and the Sarawak Skills Development Centre. We have a centre to train skilled workers including welders,” he said.
On its permanent campus, Dr Mohamad Kadim said it had been allocated a 220 acre site in Trombol about 40 kilometers from the city centre to set this up.
“We aim to move all technology and science faculties to this new campus and for the others to stay put at the current campus at Jalan Stampin Timur,” he said.
