KUCHING, Feb 3: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been tasked to expose students to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) from as early as Form 1, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
As technical fields remain relevant and continue to expand in the country, he said the government had allocated RM6.6 billion under Budget 2022 to empower TVET through various initiatives that will be implemented by several ministries and agencies.
A total of 12 hubs have been identified including automotive, semiconductor, marine, air conditioning, aerospace, robotics, rail, telecommunications, hospitality and tourism as well as food technology that will be implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
“It is time for TVET to be the top choice of the youths in the country and to prepare themselves for the future. TVET has proven to be capable of producing skilled, trained and cultured individuals and entrepreneurs.
“Therefore, I am asking MOE to prepare TVET modules and expose them to Form 1 students so the latter can decide on their choices later on,” Ismail said after chairing the National TVET Council Meeting (MTVET) today.
These elements he said, will enable youths to adapt to the challenging career environment.
To date, there are 1,295 public and private TVET providers across 11 ministries including 22 state government TVET institutions throughout Malaysia which provides certificate and diploma level.
Recognising the importance of TVET, Ismail said it is high time to eliminate the negative perception that it is a second class education.
Instead, it should be made as a career of choice like any other developed country.
He added that the government now recognises the Malaysian Vocational Diploma (DVM) as the door to public technical universities such as Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP).
The meeting which was held via teleconferencing also saw 13 ministers, related industry players including Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, academicians and student representatives attendance.
Meanwhile, MTVET also recommended the establishment of Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC).
“For the first time in history, industry-led bodies will be involved directly in the development of the country’s TVET human capital, particularly in relation to skills and manpower requirements.
“GITC membership which consists of 12 associations based on industry sectors has agreed to work together to ensure the success of the national TVET agenda,” Ismail said. — DayakDaily
