Sarawak Skills’ hydrogen-powered buses part of efforts to build green tech workforce

KUCHING: Sarawak is accelerating efforts to build a hydrogen-ready workforce, with Sarawak Skills receiving four hydrogen-powered buses as part of its efforts to familiarise trainees with green energy technology.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak Skills had been provided with three hydrogen-powered buses, with another Hyundai unit subsequently added to support its learning and training initiatives.

He said the initiative was part of Sarawak’s broader transition towards a green energy-based economy, which would require a workforce equipped with the knowledge and skills to operate and maintain emerging technologies.

“Their operation differs from conventional systems because they use fuel cell technology.

“Naturally, we need a workforce that understands these new processes and technologies, particularly those that rely on hydrogen as their primary energy source,” he said.

He said this at the 28th Sarawak Skills Convocation Ceremony at Pullman Hotel here today.

He said developing a skilled workforce was crucial to sustaining Sarawak’s economic growth and supporting its ambition to become an advanced, high-income region.

Through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), the Sarawak Government had prioritised human capital development, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), to meet the needs of expanding economic sectors.

Abang Johari said economic diversification required a workforce trained in key and strategic fields to support sustainable development.

“As you are aware, the economic landscape has changed significantly. We are now in the Fifth Industrial Revolution, which places emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum AI and robotics.

“This is a new area that is in line with global developments. Sarawak has attracted considerable attention in this field and has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the emerging Industrial Low Carbon Centres, also known as Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC).

“There are only 39 such centres worldwide, with one located in Sarawak, Malaysia.This means that the manufacturing and production landscape will undergo significant changes as we move towards what is known as green energy,” he added.

On hydrogen development, he said Sarawak had the strategic resources to advance its green energy agenda, with hydrogen offering an alternative to conventional hydrocarbon-based energy sources.

He explained that hydrogen could be produced from water (H₂O) and methane gas (CH₄), providing Sarawak with a strong foundation to develop a new economy centred on green energy.

“This means Sarawak has the fundamental resources needed to make a significant leap towards a new economy driven by green energy,” he said.