Sabahan engineers off for training stint in South Korea

KOTA KINABALU: Thirty Sabahan engineers are on their way to South Korea for three months’ advanced training.

They are part of the first batch of engineers sent there by South Korean-based copper foil manufacturer SK Nexilis Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which is investing some RM4.2bil in the state.

This includes construction of the firm’s first overseas plant here.

The engineers will leave for the training at company headquarters in South Korea on Friday (Sept 16).

ALSO READ: SK Nexilis to build RM2.3bil copper foil facility in Kota Kinabalu

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, speaking at the engineers’ send-off at a hotel here on Tuesday night (Sept 13), said the state government welcomed initiatives to develop human capital and support Sabah’s industrial sector.

Gunsalam, who is also state Industrial Development Minister, said shaping human capital was one of the main thrusts of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.

“We are grateful to SK Nexilis for giving Sabahans the opportunity to work and learn from an established, leading company,” he said.

In congratulating the selected engineers, Gunsalam urged them to make full use of this rare opportunity.

He noted that the training stint’s main objective was to prepare local engineers to work at the SK Nexilis plant in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).

ALSO READ: Over 400 job opportunities after construction of copper foil making plant in KK, says Sabah CM

“The selected engineers also need to (emulate) the good and efficient work ethic and working culture applied by those involved in industrial development in South Korea.

“This is important as (the participating engineers) will be role models in developing the state’s industrial sector,” he added.

“I hope you will all be hardworking and disciplined. Remember that you are not only trainees but also ambassadors for Sabah and Malaysia,” he told the participants.