Changing mindsets to make TVET more enticing

Sawlani says TVET graduates are masters of their craft.

THE outdated perception that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates are restricted to blue-collar jobs needs to be reformed.

Sky Academy director Raviraj Sawlani told StarMetro that TVET graduates possessed diverse skill sets that could open doors to multiple career paths beyond traditional heavy industries.

“With advancements in technology, TVET graduates can also work in fields such as automation and computer operations,” Sawlani said.

“We need to rebrand their persona. They are masters of their crafts and should not be solely associated with jobs in heavy industries like factory work and construction.”

Sky Academy offers various courses and certifications in TVET for Malaysian youth.

Sawlani, who has extensive experience working with youths in rural areas, identified five industries in Malaysia with a high demand for TVET graduates, namely construction and engineering, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, technology, and agriculture (see graphic).

Looking ahead, he urged TVET institutions to collaborate more with industry players in developing talent.

“Developed countries like Switzerland, Germany, France, and Australia have substantial industry involvement in developing TVET talents, with significant learning and knowledge transfer during on-job training or work-based learning placements in the industry.

“This not only allows the students to gain real-time industry exposure, but also accelerate their career growth through understanding of the latest industrial development and mentorship by industry leaders.”

Sawlani called for the government to establish clear standards to measure the outcomes of various TVET promotion programmes, particularly in terms of their economic benefits for the country.

The National TVET Council (MTVET) has reported encouraging responses to the UP_TVET Platform for the July intake, with 353 public TVET institutions offering 968 courses.

In a statement, the council said it planned to expand the platform to include all public TVET courses in phases.

It added that the government was also focusing on developing short-term TVET programmes and promoting TVET through successful graduate testimonies and various media channels.

It said TVET’s image would be further strengthened through the National TVET Policy 2030 which aimed to enhance the image of TVET, making it a primary career choice for everyone irrespective of academic background. — By LEW GUAN XI and HAZEL TAN YAN LING