SSTC’s 25th Anniversary “Fund It Forward Charity Dinner” Raises Funds to Empower Sabah’s Youth
Celebrates a Quarter-Century of Impact and the Spirit of Giving
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – The Sabah Skills & Technology Centre (SSTC) successfully hosted its “Fund It Forward Charity Dinner” on 12th December 2024 at the Port View Palace Hall, Sabah. The event, marking SSTC’s 25th anniversary, was attended by nearly 500 guests, including YB Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd. Arifin bin Datuk Haji Mohd. Arif, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah, who graciously graced the evening as the Guest of Honor.
Also in attendance were SSTC Chairman, Datuk John Choo, SSTC Council Members, SSTC Founder and Ordinary members, customers and clients from various industries and government departments and old friends of SSTC. Their collective support underscored the strong community commitment to SSTC’s mission of empowering Sabah’s youth.
The evening featured a heartfelt speech from SSTC Chairman, Datuk John Choo, who shared the organization’s journey over the past 25 years, alongside powerful remarks from YB Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd. Arifin, who emphasized the importance of vocational training and youth empowerment in Sabah. In his speech, the Minister stated:
“Investing in skills and innovation is a smart strategy as it will provide a multiplier effect for the state of Sabah, both in terms of economic development and the improvement of its people’s quality of life.”
He also highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping the state’s future, adding,
“Youth skill development plays a vital role, especially in ensuring they can join a skilled, innovative, and productive workforce.”
The event also included testimonials from SSTC alumni and live entertainment, which helped contribute to the night’s fundraising efforts.
The charity dinner celebrated SSTC’s 25-year legacy of providing skills training and development opportunities for Sabah’s youth, particularly those from the B40 group who face financial barriers to further education. The B40 Youth Training Program aims to equip these young individuals with the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
“First and foremost, thank you all for being here tonight at our ‘Fund It Forward Charity Dinner,’ held for the very first time in 25 years. It is heartwarming to see so many familiar and new faces gathered together in the spirit of giving and community,” said Datuk John Choo, Chairman of SSTC, expressing his gratitude to all who contributed to the donation and fundraising efforts. “With the funds collected, we shall train 20 deserving youth in areas most needed by the industry, ensuring they are gainfully employed and able to contribute to their families and communities.”
The event raised vital funds to support the B40 Youth Training Program, which continues to experience high demand. Despite receiving over 400 applications by the end of 2023, SSTC has been limited in its capacity to accommodate all requests due to funding constraints. The funds raised during the event will enable SSTC to expand its programs and provide more opportunities for youth to receive essential training.
SSTC proudly acknowledges the generous corporate sponsors who contributed RM10,000 each to directly support the B40 Youth Training Program. These sponsors include:
- Ken Chong Food Industries Sdn Bhd
- Asian Tourism International College
- Uniang Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd
- Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) Sdn Bhd
- Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd
- Unimekar Metals Sdn Bhd
As a token of appreciation, SSTC offered these corporate sponsors and the companies who purchased tables at the charity dinner the first opportunity to hire the newly-skilled youth once they complete their training, reinforcing the strong link between education and employment. This event has showcased the power of collaboration and the impact we can make when we come together as a community to create real opportunities for Sabah’s youth.
Looking ahead, SSTC plans to train more I4.0 related technology training programs in 2025. With the funds raised through this charity dinner, SSTC will be able to offer scholarships to the B40 students to attend vocational courses designed to meet the demands of Sabah’s evolving workforce. To this date, SSTC has trained close to 7000 youths with more than 90% securing employment.
