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MIRI – Sarawak’s young entrepreneurs have been asked to utilise the special RM50 million training fund provided by the federal government.
Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said Putrajaya’s young entrepreneurs development fund is a grant that does not require repayment.
“The Federal government is channeling this fund through Bank Rakyat as grants for young entrepreneurs registered with the ministries.
“The fund is relatively easy to apply for and approval is quite prompt with the amount of funds to be alloted depending on the type and size of the business.
“Those alloted the money can use it for their business developments and the ministry will check on the progress of the recipients.
“Petty traders and small scale businesses in Sarawak should apply. There is no need to repay the government,” he said when attending a Youth Entrepreneur Setup development programme in Kuching today.
Karim called on all interested youth to check with his ministry to register.
Last week, Sarawak launched the state-level Youth Entrepreneur Setup programme (YES) aimed at creating a new pool of young business talents in the state.
The YES programme which is a pioneering effort by the state government will be carried out until 2030 in all districts in the state, said Karim at the launch of the Miri YES chapter here.
“I am very happy that we are carrying out this YES campaign aimed at producing a new generation of young people capable of seizing opportunities in the business and industrial arenas.
“This YES project is going to be very useful and beneficial as it can help shape the future economic and business landscape in Sarawak.
“Through this YES project, we will train and develop the young in product development, management aspects of businesses, digital economy, establishment of market links and other key aspects of the business and industrial world.
“From now until 2030, the YES programme will be carried out aggressively in the state,” he had said.
Karim called on youth and youth organisations to enrol with the ministry for the YES training.
He said more young people in Sarawak should explore various arenas related to entrepreneurial businesses as there are potential good revenues to be earned.
Earlier last month, state Deputy Minister in the Premier Department, Datuk Juanda Jaya, had advised youths not to discard food-related businesses as being low earning or low paying in nature.
“Youths who are still unemployed can opt for the many training programmes in trading and entrepreneurship offered by the government programmes.
“These business ventures can bring in high returns for those who are willing to work hard, including the food sectors.
“The government has many training programmes to offer to those who are keen to learn,” the state Public Communications Unit had quoted him as saying at a public event in Matu town in central Sarawak.
Juanda said the government wanted to see more youth trying out their skills in the state’s food industries.
Recently, another lawmaker had urged young Sarawakians to stop having scant regards for technical jobs or those requiring vocational skills, as these jobs are becoming important statewide.
Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot had said that these jobs are offering high salaries nowadays.
Speaking at a community function in Kampung Pichin in Serian town last month, he said Sarawakians must stop thinking that only office jobs offer a good future.
“It is sad that only 28% of workers in Sarawak and Malaysia are equipped with technical expertise and vocational skills.
“The number of skilled employees is still very low in our workforce.
“In countries like Germany, up to 90% of their workers have technical qualifications.
“Here, many parents and students still regard jobs in the technical and vocational sectors as those with low salaries.
“That is not the case anymore. There are many types of jobs in the technical and vocational fields whereby the employers pay high salaries to workers capable of technical and vocational skills,” he said.
Riot said students in Sarawak who will be completing their SPM soon should opt for technical and vocational courses after finishing their exams. He also urged parents to encourage their children to take up such courses.
The state has two existing Industrial Training Institutes, one each in the districts of Samarahan and Miri, he said.
“Soon, Serian district will have a training institute which are good venues to acquire useful skills that will provide a good future to the young,” he stressed. – The Vibes, April 3, 2022