Calling for a change in the attitudes of school leavers on educational trend, he admitted that the state was still lacking of skilled, executive or sub-managerial workers from natives background in plantation sectors while Sarawak was moving progressively towards industrialisation.

Noted on the fast pace of development of the oil palm plantation sector in the state, he said the government took a serious view of manpower matters and encouraging more native youths from rural area to participate in any vocational, technical and sub-managerial courses provided so as to mobilise the youth to venture into the industry.

In complementing the State's call, Mawan had given a thump-up  to the Incorporated Society Planters (ISP) when declaring the closing of a graduation ceremony last night. 

He said, the six months distant learning tutorials had been providing opportunities for estate staffs to pursue higher academic qualifiation, those due to circumstances might not have a diploma or degree and did not have a chance to be an executive due to lack of paper qualification.

He said such course was the first of its kind to be introduced to Sarawak where a total of 117 students solely from estate workers from Miri, Bintulu and Sibu divisions had graduated as the holders of Professional Diploma of Licentiate of the Incorporated Society of Planters (LISP).

He also ensure the state would continue to support such studies programme so as to uplift the level of professionlism of the estate workers, as well as the productivity of state's oil palm. 

Meanwhile, the chairman of ISP Malaysia Mr. Emerson Liau Yong Hua extended his appreciation to the state government for its friendly policies and its strong support toward the fast growing oil palm industry by providing more basics infrastructures to meet the needs.

He also advise the those who had graduated should continue their studies if possible as the course was designed for career professionalism.  
 
As the foremost recognized planting association both in the country and internationally, he said the 82 years old ISP had been dedicated to provide training and educating its fellow members in the planting industry by continuously upgrade their professionalism.

Liau said the sucess of the oil palm industry in the state was due to the good economic returns which encourage private sector investment with good government's  supports. Beside, the development of the industry also created numerous jobs opportunities and up-grading the quality of life especially those from rural areas.

Also addressing at the occasion was the Captain Narayanan Kannan as the principal consultant of Harina Consultancy Services.