KOTA KINABALU: Thirty Sabahan engineers are on their way to South Korea for a three-month advanced training. They are part of the first batch of engineers to be sent to the country by South Korean-based copper foil manufacturer SK Nexilis Malaysia Sdn Bhd which is investing some RM4.2bil in the state, including building its first overseas plant here.
The engineers are expected to arrive at the company’s headquarters in South Korea tomorrow.
They were seen off by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam during a ceremony here on Tuesday.
In his speech, Gunsalam, who is Sabah Industrial Development Minister, said human capital development is one of the main thrusts of the state’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
“We are happy and grateful to SK Nexilis for giving local Sabahans the opportunity to work and learn from one of the established and leading companies in South Korea and the world,” he said.
He said the main objective of the programme was to ensure that all selected local engineers can gain knowledge and improve their skills in preparation for work at the SK Nexilis factory in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) here.
He encouraged them to gain as much knowledge as possible and improve their skills and abilities through this programme.
“You should also learn and develop an efficient work culture or ethics that has been applied by all those involved in industrial development in South Korea.
“This is important considering that all the selected participants will be a role model to the people of Sabah to develop the industrial sector in the state,” Gunsalam said.
He also advised the participants to maintain the highest level of discipline and show their determination to gain knowledge and improve their skills during the training course.
“You must remember that you are not only the trainee engineers of SK Nexilis, but also the ambassadors for the whole of Sabah and Malaysia.
“Therefore, your work attitude; the way you carry yourself, your culture will be portrayed as Malaysians and Sabahans,” Gunsalam said, thanking the company for providing the opportunity to the engineers from the state.