CMS and RTA are exploring linkages with several educational institutes following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) on 11 February 2008 at the launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Under the MoU with PPKS, CMS and RTA are planning to provide a series of industrial training programmes for Malaysian Nationals to build up skills required for future employment opportunities at the proposed SALCO aluminium smelter.

Up to 1,200 direct jobs are expected to be created by the SALCO smelter, with a further 3,500 indirect jobs in a variety of supporting services and businesses.

CMS Group Managing Director, Dato' Richard Curtis said, “SALCO is committed to development of the local and business community in Sarawak and Malaysia, and an appropriate starting point was the training and skills development programmes.”

Rio Tinto Alcan's General Manager Smelter Project Development Matt Liddy said, “We are pleased to be working with PPKS and are also initiating discussions with other skills providers and local universities so SALCO is able to expand training opportunities and its skills base. Of the 1,200 direct jobs on offer, we are targeting to have the majority of these positions filled by Malaysian nationals equipped with the right kinds of skills and knowledge.”

“Under the MoU, Rio Tinto Alcan will assist PPKS to develop integrated learning strategies and programmes through the identification of training needs, skill sets and competencies required by employees and contractors for the SALCO smelter project.”

SALCO's “Malaysianisation” human resource programme got off to a positive start with the Prime Minister of Malaysia handing over the first of a series of training packages to two Sarawak born employees of CMS during the SCORE Launch.

The two recipients, Ryan Ng and Suhadi Sulaiman will receive training at Rio Tinto Alcan corporate and operational facilities in Australia in 2008.