Dr. Joachim ( fourth right), Aminuddin (right) with others for the MoU signing at the KATC facility.
KOTA KINABALU: KKIP Aerospace Training Centre (KATC) aspires to become an aerospace technological company by 2026 that is led by Sabahans.
Its Chief Executive Officer Aminuddin Zakaria hoped that the collaborations with the right partners would set the clear runway for the centre, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of KKIP Sdn Bhd, to accelerate the initiative.
“The collaborations with SMTRACK, Borneo Jet & Cargo and Borneo Drone will provide the knowledge and exposure to the people of Sabah to become experts and eventually empower them to take on the leadership role and run an organisation successfully in the future.
“This opens future employment opportunities for Sabahans and will directly impact the future economy of Sabah.
“KATC will also desire to venture into design organisation approval and establish more Research and Development facilities in Sabah, especially in the area of composite repairs.
“Apart from that, we want to supply skilled technicians to support aircraft part manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) eco-system in Sabah which will then help Sabah economy and high income employability for the people,” he said in a statement.
KATC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SMTRACK Berhad, Borneo Jet & Cargo Sdn Bhd and Borneo Drone Sdn Bhd.
It was witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam and State Science, Technology and Innovation deputy permanent secretary Zainudin Aman at KTAC in Sepanggar, near here.
Aminuddin said SMTRACK Berhad would share in the areas of general collaboration in training, students on-job training and attachments, apprenticeships, provision of skills manpower and future employment placements. Whereas, the establishment of new Borneo Jet & Cargo airline (in partnership with Helistar Resources Sdn Bhd) and Borneo Drone transportation in Sabah will support the aspiration of KATC becoming an Aerospace Technological Company in 2026.
The spirit “Sabah for Sabahans” will become the focus in KATC’s long term business plan to equip Sabahan to take on the baton, he said.
He added that KATC would mobilise their expertise to provide technical training and consultation to assist and be directly involved in launching of the Borneo Jet’s operations and Borneo Drone transportation or air taxi in Sabah.
In return KATC could also leverage and acquire the knowledge and skills in airline passengers and cargo transportation & logistics operations, ground handling support and drone technology.
Joachim said his Ministry is always looking for new opportunities that can bring development and benefits to the people.
“We also encourage companies under the Ministry, as well as other organisations to jointly explore the opportunities available.
“We hope that with the inking of the MoU, KKIP Aerospace will become an excellent training centre, especially in terms of technical operations related to aircraft and subsequently become an aircraft/unmanned aerial vehicle and drone engineers.
“What we want is to provide the best, as well as human capital of quality, whereby the certificates obtained in this field can then be used to venture into related industries either domestically or internationally,” he said.
He said he can see the potential of Aerospace being created in Sabah.
“This field can provide new knowledge and approaches and at the same time open job opportunities for the people in Sabah,” he said while congratulating the management of KATC and Scenie for pioneering projects with great potential for Sabah.
“I am confident that Scenic, an agency under the State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will assist and cooperate in ensuring the collaboration is successful and viable,” he said. – DE
