Freeing Sabah Youths from the Unemployment Trap

Dr Joachim (fourth right) when launching the Event

9 July 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has expressed its full support for strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, with the aim of equipping Sabah’s youth to be more competitive in the job market and breaking the cycle of unemployment.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the establishment of the Sabah TVET Council in May this year represented a significant paradigm shift in the development of the state’s TVET landscape.

He stressed that TVET should no longer be viewed merely as an option.

“Instead, it must be recognised as a mainstream educational path in our effort to build a skilled workforce capable of shaping Sabah’s future. TVET is not just about acquiring technical skills—it empowers individuals, creates employment opportunities, and serves as a catalyst for economic growth,” he said at the Sabah TVET Symposium held at the Magellan Sutera Harbour here today.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II and Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

Hajiji stated that the State Government acknowledges the fundamental role of technical and vocational skills in Sabah’s development, particularly given the state’s rich potential in natural resources, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.

“However, to sustain growth across these sectors, we need a highly skilled workforce that can meet the demands of rapidly evolving industries,” he said.

In this context, the Chief Minister highlighted the crucial role of parents and the wider community.

“The State Government urges youths to consider TVET as a first-choice option, not merely a fallback, when planning their future. TVET should be recognised as a strategic path towards becoming professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

“Sabah’s youth must seize the opportunities that TVET presents. The programmes currently offered are aligned with labour market demands, thereby improving the employability of graduates,” he said.

He added that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and increasing digitalisation, skills in technical disciplines, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) are more valuable than ever.

“If Sabah’s youth are not equipped with these competencies, we risk being left behind in this wave of transformation. TVET offers the ideal platform to cultivate a highly skilled workforce that can drive the state’s advancement,” he said.

The Chief Minister affirmed the government’s strong commitment to human capital development, as demonstrated through various initiatives and investments.

“Our efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Recent data show that Sabah’s unemployment rate declined from approximately 8.2 per cent in 2021 to 7.5 per cent in 2023.

“While this rate remains higher than the national average, the downward trend is encouraging and reflects the impact of our economic and human capital development programmes,” he said.

Nevertheless, he noted that Sabah still faces considerable challenges. According to data from the Department of Statistics, more than half (58.6 per cent) of Sabah’s unemployed population are youths aged between 15 and 24. Additionally, 55.8 per cent of the total unemployed individuals have only completed secondary school.

“These figures underscore the urgent need for skills training and further education among our young people to enhance their employability,” he said.

Hajiji noted that the symposium, themed ‘Sustainable TVET for Sabah’s Future Human Capital: Integrated TVET Ecosystem’, was highly relevant given the state’s current needs.

He expressed hope that participants would take full advantage of the two-day event to forge meaningful connections between educational institutions and industry training providers.