BEAUFORT: The State Government is offering skills training, entrepreneurship guidance and business start-up assistance to help the B40 low-income group, particularly youths, increase their earnings and improve household finances.
State Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Ruslan Muharam said the initiatives include short- and long-term training in tourism, agriculture and industrial sectors, as well as entrepreneurship courses and mentorship to help participants develop their businesses.
He said participants could also benefit from start-up grants and wider market access through carnivals, expos and promotional programmes to market their products and services.
Collaboration between government agencies, training institutions and the private sector is also helping to expand training opportunities, job placements and skills development in line with industry needs.
“Promising areas for employment and business opportunities include food processing, tourism, construction, logistics, aquaculture, fisheries, the digital economy and creative industries.
“Therefore, the public, particularly those in the B40 group, should make use of the training opportunities provided by the Government to acquire new skills and develop additional income sources for themselves and their families,” he said.
Ruslan was speaking after officiating at the closing of a dim sum and crisps-making course in Beaufort on Oct 21.
The Lumadan Assemblyman said 40 participants attended the programme, organised by the Human Resource Development Department (JPSM) in collaboration with SNS Enterprise at Aniq Noodle Factory in Kampung Lumat.
He said the course equipped participants with food preparation skills that could be used for household consumption and potentially developed into small businesses to generate extra income.
“Once they have mastered the skills, they can produce their own products, initially for family consumption and later for sale if they have the capacity to expand their business.
“Those who wish to grow their businesses can seek information on funding facilities, including financing offered by relevant state and federal government agencies,” he said.
Ruslan said the programme reflected the Government’s commitment to developing more successful entrepreneurs in Sabah through collaboration between public agencies and the private sector.
