Kolej Laila Taib (KLT) welcomed representatives from the Sibu Shipyard Association (SSA) led by the President, Mr. Ting Hua Ang and Vice President, Mr. Wong Shie Kee on October 22, 2024, to explore potential collaborations in shipbuilding, ship-welding, and Quality Control (QC) inspector training programs. This meeting marks a promising step towards addressing the challenges faced by the shipbuilding industry, particularly the shortage of local manpower willing to pursue careers in welding and quality control inspection, both critical skills in the industry.
During the meeting, SSA expressed a strong interest in working closely with KLT to establish and succeed in these specialized programs, highlighting the importance of developing a skilled local workforce. Currently, the industry relies heavily on foreign workers due to the lack of qualified local welders and inspectors, an issue both parties are committed to resolving through this collaboration.
KLT CEO, Surveyor Eric Wong, added that the shipbuilding industry may also explore developing ship parts for local use, which would reduce reliance on imported components and strengthen the local supply chain.
The discussions were highly productive, with both KLT and SSA sharing a mutual goal of strengthening the local talent pipeline and contributing to the long-term growth of the shipbuilding sector. The successful meeting sets the stage for further cooperation and program development in the near future.
KLT is proud to take part in this important initiative, which not only aligns with the college’s mission of providing relevant and high-quality skill programs but also supports the economic development of Sibu’s shipbuilding industry.
