Swinburne Score’s with 50 participants for basic training

SWINBURNE University of Technology Sarawak Campus has attracted 50 participants for a basic training programme designed to prepare the workforce for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Funded by the State Planning Unit, the six-week programme was offered as part of the state Government’s human capital plan for SCORE.

The programme was divided into three parts — shaping of metals, basic foundry and casting, and basic condition monitoring and maintenance for industries.

Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen, pro vice-chancellor and chief executive of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, said a skilled workforce was vital in the development process.

“It’s going to be important for the future of Sarawak or any community to understand that people need to have a range of skills to contribute to development.

Paper gift: Kushaidy (left) receiving a certificate from Lueckenhausen. Looking on are Salbiah (right) and Morhafila Morshidi, Research and Consultancy/Industry officer.

“SCORE is a very good case in point. It requires many more trained and educated people in a whole range of fields, in order for the people of Sarawak to be able to take advantage of SCORE and improve their lives,” he said during the certificate presentation ceremony recently.

One of the participants, Kushaidy Adenan, said he had a better understanding of maintenance management through the programme.

“We learned a lot of theory and it really helped me understand why some of the things we do have to be done in a certain way. It also opened our thinking on what SCORE is all about,” he said, adding that the programme was an eye opener although he had been in the industry for 20 years and runs his own pipe-laying company.

STPM school leaver Norsheima Hasnan, 19, agreed with Kushaidy and said she enjoyed the practical sessions.

“I like it and may look for work in this area, and encourage more women to join the programme because I’ve learned that women can do the job, too,” said Norsheima, who is one of seven women in the programme.

Also present to witness the presentation of certificates to the participants were SCORE Industry and Sector assistant director Salbiah Saji and the heads of schools of Swinburne Sarawak.