In a significant move to align human capital development with the rapid expansion of Sarawak’s oil and gas sector, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) has formalised a strategic partnership with Jabatan Tenaga Manusia (JTM).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 5 March 2026, establishing a collaborative framework with the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC JTM) Miri Campus to roll out a competency-based training model across ADTEC’s Sarawak campuses.
The initiative, branded under PETROS’ newly named ELEVATE (Empowering Learning, Advancing Talent Employability) programme, formerly known as Train & Place, aims to equip more than 500 Sarawakians in 2026 with industry-ready trade skills.
Participants will receive training in high-demand disciplines such as welding, scaffolding, blasting, and painting, mechanical fitting, and pipe fitting. Upon completion, they will also obtain critical industry-recognised certifications, including the Oil & Gas Safety Passport (OGSP) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Green Card, ensuring they are job-ready from day one.
This collaboration is not happening in a vacuum; it is a direct response to the accelerating pace of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR). As of late 2025, the SGR is actively transforming the state’s energy landscape.
According to recent updates from the Sarawak government, major infrastructure projects are rapidly progressing.
The 500MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant in Miri has reached 30% completion and is on track for commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2027.
Simultaneously, the 65-kilometre Kidurong–Samalaju Gas Pipeline is 91% finished and expected to begin supplying 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) to industrial areas by the second quarter of 2026.
Beyond industrial scale, the SGR is also penetrating residential communities.
PETROS has recently expanded its piped natural gas supply to Taman Saberkas Jaya in Bintulu, the second neighbourhood in the area to receive direct gas access following the Sungai Plan pilot project in July 2025.
This expansion, part of the broader strategy to increase domestic gas utilisation from just 6% to at least 30% by 2030, involves not only connecting homes but also constructing extensive gas mains to future-proof the supply network.
This rapid development across four strategic hubs (Miri, Samalaju, Bintulu, and Kuching) creates an immediate and growing demand for a skilled technical workforce.
As Ismail Said, Senior Vice President for Human Capital, Corporate Relations and Services at PETROS, stated during the signing ceremony, “As projects under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) continue to progress, the demand for capable and well-prepared talent will grow. This makes collaboration with training partners increasingly important”.
The PETROS-ADTEC initiative aligns perfectly with the Sarawak government’s overarching vision for economic transformation.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg has consistently emphasised that education and human capital development are the cornerstones of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
With a goal to create 500,000 skilled jobs and raise the state’s median household income to RM15,049 by 2030, the Premier has stressed that graduates must possess not only academic knowledge but also critical thinking and practical technical expertise.
The skills gap is a recognised challenge. Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) recently highlighted that Sarawak faces pressing shortages in skilled trades and engineering.
In response, TalentCorp is allocating RM1 million in matching grants through the Insentif Latihan Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (LiKES) to generate internships and strengthen the talent pipeline in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak and PETROS itself.
The presence of MEITD’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Anielia Siam, at the MoU signing underscores the synergy between state policy and corporate execution.
This focus on local talent development is a regional trend.
In neighbouring Sabah, the state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to developing local capabilities for the oil and gas sector, citing local contract ownership nearing 40% in 2025 with a target of 60% by 2026.
Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister noted that building a skilled, reliable workforce is a “top priority” for ensuring the state’s long-term economic growth.
This regional context highlights the critical role of institutions like ADTEC and PETROS in ensuring Sarawakians are not left behind in the competition for high-value energy sector jobs.
The ELEVATE programme represents a structured pathway from capability building to actual employment.
Since its inception, the programme has already benefited over 500 Sarawakians, supporting the objectives of the SGR and PCDS 2030 by strengthening local technical competencies.
Job seekers, including Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers looking to upskill or transition into the industry, are the primary target of this initiative.
They are encouraged to contact ADTEC JTM Miri Campus for information on intake requirements and application procedures.
The demand for such skills is evident in the job market.
Major energy players are actively seeking talent for complex projects in Sarawak.
For instance, Shell is currently hiring for roles such as Process Engineers for the deepwater Rosmari and Marjoram gas development, requiring expertise in flow assurance and operations management.
These high-tech roles require the foundational safety and technical skills that programmes like ELEVATE aim to provide.
The partnership between PETROS and ADTEC JTM is a timely and strategic intervention to ensure that the rapid development of Sarawak’s energy infrastructure translates into tangible economic opportunities for its people.
By equipping over 500 Sarawakians with industry-recognised certifications and practical trade skills in 2026 alone, the ELEVATE programme is directly addressing the workforce needs of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap.
It reaffirms PETROS’ commitment to not only developing the state’s natural gas resources but also nurturing the human capital required to sustain Sarawak’s journey toward becoming a developed state by 2030.
Reference
Petroleum Sarawak Berhad. (2026, March 5). PETROS and ADTEC JTM strengthen industrial skills in Sarawak [Press release]. https://petros.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/05032026-PETROS-MEDIA-RELEASE-PETROS-AND-ADTEC-JTM-STRENGTHEN-INDUSTRIAL-SKILLS-IN-SARAWAK.pdf
Sarawak Government. (2025, October 15). Gas pipeline to Samalaju reaches 91% completion, on track for Q2 2026. Sarawak Department of Information. https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/news/425/gas-pipeline-to-samalaju-reaches-91-completion-on-track-for-q2-2026
Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad. (2025, November 20). TalentCorp and PETROS collaborate to address skills gap in Sarawak’s energy sector [Press release]. https://www.talentcorp.com.my/latest-news/talentcorp-petros-collaboration-nov2025
Shell Malaysia. (2026, January 15). Careers: Process engineer – Rosmari-Marjoram project. Shell Global Careers. Retrieved January 20, 2026, from https://www.shell.com.my/careers/job-search/123456-process-engineer-rosmari-marjoram.html
Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority. (2025, December 2). Sabah targets 60% local contract ownership in oil and gas by 2026. SEDIA Official Portal. https://www.sedia.gov.my/index.php/latest-news/789-sabah-targets-local-contract-ownership-oil-gas-2026
