KOTA KINABALU: The state Works Department has attracted 393 participants under the Professional and Education For Growing Entrepreneurs (PROTÉGÉ) initiative.
State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the department conducted the programme in collaboration with project management consultants, design consultants, and contractors under the Pan Borneo Highway project, consisting of four project management consultants and 15 contract packages across Sabah.
"One of the challenges faced by the project implementers is a lack of interest among graduates.
"They are not keen to be placed in rural areas due to the distant location of construction site offices.
"There is also a shortage of technical graduates from local universities," he said in a statement.
Shahelmey, who is also state deputy chief minister, said the department, under the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Sector aims to involve 2,300 participants in the project by 2028, encouraging especially technical graduates to participate.
The department has also participated in career exhibitions with government agencies such as Perkeso.
Meanwhile, four out of 15 work packages from Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway have been opened to the public and road users.