Sabah's new Advanced Vocational and Technical Education (ABM) campus is expected to enhance vocational skills and stimulate economic growth, according to Hajiji, the state's chief minister.

New ABM Campus in Beringgis Set to Boost Youth Training and Empower Sabah's Construction Sector

In a significant move to bolster youth training and empower the construction sector in Sabah, the new Sabah Region Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM) campus is under construction in Beringgis.

The state-of-the-art facility, spanning across a 34-acre site, is expected to accommodate up to 700 trainees at a time. This expansion is set to boost youth training capacity by 73% and increase the number of trained construction personnel by 39% compared to the ABM temporary campus in Kayu Madang, Kota Kinabalu.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the RM130.6 million project was officiated by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the Chief Minister of Sabah, in the presence of several dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the State Minister of Works, and the Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. The Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who is also the Papar Member of Parliament, was also present.

The new ABM campus is designed to serve as a key catalyst in empowering Sabah's youth in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) field, particularly in the construction sector. High-demand skills being addressed by the new campus include scaffold erection, welding, gas pipe installation, machinery operation, electrical work, air conditioning, and piping. These skills are not only relevant to the construction industry but also to the global oil and gas sector.

To ensure job opportunities for ABM graduates, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between ABM Sabah and three strategic partners: Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA), KTI Sdn Bhd, and Tas Institute of Oil & Gas.

The Sabah State TVET Council (MTS), established in May by the state government to coordinate more than 160 TVET training institutions across the state, will oversee the operations of the new ABM campus. The campus will be equipped with modern technology such as drones, simulation tools, and digital equipment.

In a touching tribute, a new community hall in Kampung Beringgis, directly opposite the ABM campus site, will be named Dewan Tan Sri Oku Sukam, in honour of the services and contributions of former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Osu Sukam. Osu Sukam contributed significantly to the development of Papar, Sabah, and Malaysia.

Since their inception, ABM Sabah and CIDB Tech have collectively trained over 7,000 trainees, with an employability rate of 85% upon graduation. The new ABM campus is expected to strengthen Sabah's position as a leading TVET center.

The construction of the new ABM campus is a testament to the government's commitment to empowering Sabah's youth and strengthening the construction sector. With its state-of-the-art facilities and focus on high-demand skills, the new ABM campus is poised to play a significant role in Sabah's development.

Sabah's new Advanced Vocational and Technical Education (ABM) campus is expected to enhance vocational skills and stimulate economic growth, according to Hajiji, the state's chief minister.