KOTA KINABALU: The construction of a RM130.6mil Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) new campus is set to boost the state's effort to develop human capital to meet its economic goals.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the new campus would be a major catalyst for youths to gain skills in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), especially in the construction sector.

He said the high-tech facilities at the new campus were expected to accommodate up to 700 trainees at a time, which will increase the youth training capacity by 73% and construction personnel by 39% compared to the ABM temporary campus facilities in Kayu Madang, Kota Kinabalu.

"Today we are opening a new chapter for Sabah. This campus will produce a highly skilled workforce, polish the talents of young people, increase their competitiveness in the job market, and become the TVET hub for East Malaysia," he said at the groundbreaking of the new campus project being developed on an 18ha site in Beringgis in the Papar district about 40 km from here on Saturday (Aug 30).

Hajiji said the effort was in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap, which emphasises the development of infrastructure and human capital as pillars of the state's economic growth.

He said the establishment of the Sabah State TVET Council (MTS) last May was proof of the state government's commitment to coordinating more than 160 TVET training institutions in Sabah to keep pace with current industry needs.

According to him, ABM Sabah and CIDB Tech have successfully trained more than 7,000 trainees since their establishment, with a graduate employability rate of 85%.

He said that among the fields in high demand include scaffold erection, welding, gas pipe installation, machinery operation, electricity, air conditioning, and piping, which are not only needed in the construction industry but also in the oil and gas sector internationally.

"With a modern campus equipped with the latest technology such as the use of drones, simulations, and digital equipment, Sabah will produce more skilled workers to meet the demands of the global market," he said.

Hajiji was confident that the campus will provide economic benefits to the Papar district, especially the Kampung Beringgis area and its surroundings, in addition to strengthening Sabah's position as a competitive TVET training centre.

He also expressed hope that the campus will be able to produce new TVET icons such as Rudy Mohammad, an ABM Sabah alumnus in the field of Architectural Drafting who was recognised as the TVET Construction Icon in 2024 and successfully made it to the world stage.

At the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged between ABM Sabah and three strategic partners, namely the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA), KTI Sdn Bhd, and Tas Institute of Oil & Gas, to ensure that ABM graduates get real job opportunities in the housing, construction, and oil and gas sectors.