<\/p>\n
SPM and STPM Studies have According to YB Datin Formed in March 2005,
\nschool-leavers could match their career interests with the human resource needs
\nof Sarawak through a directory on human resources in the state soon. <\/span>The development of such a career directory
\nis one of the initiatives of the School-Leavers Human Resource Development
\n(HRD) Council to help guide school-leavers in planning for their future in the
\njob market.
\nindicated that the numbers of SPM and STPM school-leavers are increasing, as
\nthey faced difficulties in getting into tightly competed places in Lower Six or
\nUniversities. <\/span>Recent statistics showed
\nthat only about 40% of 30,829 SPM candidates are qualified to progress to Lower
\nSix. <\/span>This figure is a growing concern
\nfor the state government particularly in cases where school-leavers are in the
\nrural areas where financial constraints and lack of information could hinder
\ncandidates\u2019 efforts to go for further studies or skills training to enhance
\ntheir chances in the job market.
\nFatimah Abdullah, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister\u2019s Department (Human
\nResource & Training), \u201cSarawak is going through its second wave of
\ndevelopment that is founded on K-economy or Knowledge-economy. <\/span>The state needs competent human resources in
\nthe fields of technology, science, education, ICT, agropolis and
\nvocational.\u201d <\/span>The career directory could
\nthen assist school-leavers by highlighting these areas where skills are
\nrequired in the human resource demand of the state.
\nthe School-Leavers HRD Council is responsible for planning and developing
\ntraining policies for SPM and STPM school-leavers, in addition to maintaining
\nand monitoring a database of school-leavers in the state. <\/span>Members of the Council have been specially
\nselected to allow for the brainstorming of educational and training issues, and
\nproposing of research and development activities for school-leavers. <\/span>