KOTA KINABALU: The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) has announced two young talents from Sabah as recipients of the prestigious CIDB Construction TVET Icon Award. The awards were presented during the Graduation Ceremony of Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) and CIDB Technologies Sabah.
The ceremony was officiated by CIDB Malaysia Chairman, Dato’ Ir. Haji Yusuf bin Haji Abd. Wahab, who in his keynote speech highlighted the vital role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a key driver of national workforce development. He stressed that TVET serves as a crucial platform for cultivating a skilled, high-income workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
The two awardees exemplify how TVET is far more than an alternative pathway; it is a powerful tool for social mobility that can transform lives and open doors to global career opportunities. Syahril Mohd Ariffin, aged 42, an ABM Sabah alumnus, pursued TVET immediately after completing his SPM, specialising in Architectural Drafting and earning the Construction Skills Competency Certificate (SKKP). Starting his career as a draughtsman, he advanced to become a site supervisor and now serves as a Civil and Structural Inspector at PETRONAS.
The other recipient, Richard Bin Jupilin, aged 25, is a CIDB Technologies Sabah alumnus specialising in Blasting & Painting and Welding. Representing the new generation of globally competitive TVET graduates, Richard currently works with an offshore company in Dubai specialising in Rope Access, having previously gained valuable experience in Spain.
Their journeys demonstrate that TVET not only provides employment opportunities but also produces world-class skilled professionals. In 2025, ABM and CIDB Technologies Sabah recorded a graduate employability rate of 94%, up from 82% in 2024, reflecting growing confidence in construction skills as a viable career pathway.
During the ceremony, 150 graduates received their SKKP, signifying their readiness to meet the increasing demands of the construction industry across Sabah and nationwide. The graduates completed a diverse range of training programmes, including mobile and crawler crane operations, scaffold erection, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation installation, backhoe loader and hydraulic excavator operations, single-phase electrical installation, gas pipe installation, building operations and maintenance handyman skills, architectural drafting, bricklaying, and aluminium framework fabrication.
CIDB Malaysia remains dedicated to empowering the construction TVET sector through competency-based training, skills certification, industry-standard facilities, and job placement support, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to enter the workforce.
Additionally, 12 graduates were recognised with the Excellent Graduate Award for their outstanding achievements, while nine industry partners received Certificates of Appreciation for their ongoing collaboration in developing a skilled workforce.
CIDB Malaysia’s Senior General Manager, Suhaimi Mansor S.M.P., emphasised that construction TVET training continues to be strengthened through a balanced approach combining theory with practical exposure to modern technologies, ensuring graduates stay relevant in a fast-changing industry. He urged young people to consider TVET as their primary career choice and called on industry players to prioritise employing local graduates, reducing reliance on foreign labour in line with government efforts to elevate skill standards and forge strategic industry partnerships.
In line with the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, CIDB Malaysia is developing a new ABM Sabah campus in Kampung Beringgis, Papar, with an estimated development cost of RM130.6 million. Built on 50 acres and scheduled for completion in 2027, the campus will be one of the largest ABM facilities in Malaysia, capable of accommodating up to 700 trainees at a time. This strategic investment aims to expand training capacity and incorporate advanced technology into skills training, ensuring the industry’s evolving needs are met.-pr/BNN
