PETALING JAYA: A bright future lies ahead for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Malaysia, says Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
The ministry, he said, is working in tandem with industry players as well as German groups to improve TVET in the country - which is set to be similar to Germany’s TVET structure.
Noting that the ministry had strongly emphasised the advancement of TVET starting this year, Maszlee said that “Germany has given a lot of help and cooperation in helping us boost TVET here, while Malaysian industry players are also now directly involved with us (ministry) to structure TVET education in Malaysia.”
He called on students and the public to not look down on TVET.
“TVET is part of our education system. It isn’t the last resort as many still see it to be. It is a good option and the way forward in the world,” said Maszlee during a visit to the #mydigitalmaker Fair 2019 at MITEC on Sunday (Sept 15).
He also noted that TVET takes up quite a sum in Budget 2019 as well as Budget 2020.
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), in a statement, had called on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to make TVET a “national priority”.
“We are so far behind as compared to our neighbours,” said NUTP.
In the statement, NUTP agreed that TVET is the way forward but that its ability to make sure everyone is going the same direction was “questionable”.
“The main grouse by the industry is that they are not getting skilled workers. Government trainers, lecturers and teachers are not getting support to churn out correct people for the industry.
“Almost every government institution is fighting for the same pool of students,” read the statement issued on Sunday (Sept 15).
NUTP added that to keep abreast with the latest developments at the industry level, based on the current model is a “tremendous challenge”.
“Conventional machines must be Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines for our students to be industry-ready but we are unable to do so on a wide scale.”
NUTP added that proficiency of English in the learning of technical subjects is “much to be desired” as the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) is in English.
Maszlee and NUTP were speaking in response to Dr Mahathir’s comments about TVET.
At a press conference after a special Cabinet meeting at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya on Saturday (Sept 14), Dr Mahathir had said in the coming years, there will be more emphasis on skills development as well as TVET.
“TVET will play an important role in realising this vision because it can help increase the skills of our workers. There will be more priority towards TVET in our national budget allocation,” he said.
The ministry, he said, is working in tandem with industry players as well as German groups to improve TVET in the country - which is set to be similar to Germany’s TVET structure.
Noting that the ministry had strongly emphasised the advancement of TVET starting this year, Maszlee said that “Germany has given a lot of help and cooperation in helping us boost TVET here, while Malaysian industry players are also now directly involved with us (ministry) to structure TVET education in Malaysia.”
He called on students and the public to not look down on TVET.
“TVET is part of our education system. It isn’t the last resort as many still see it to be. It is a good option and the way forward in the world,” said Maszlee during a visit to the #mydigitalmaker Fair 2019 at MITEC on Sunday (Sept 15).
He also noted that TVET takes up quite a sum in Budget 2019 as well as Budget 2020.
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), in a statement, had called on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to make TVET a “national priority”.
“We are so far behind as compared to our neighbours,” said NUTP.
In the statement, NUTP agreed that TVET is the way forward but that its ability to make sure everyone is going the same direction was “questionable”.
“The main grouse by the industry is that they are not getting skilled workers. Government trainers, lecturers and teachers are not getting support to churn out correct people for the industry.
“Almost every government institution is fighting for the same pool of students,” read the statement issued on Sunday (Sept 15).
NUTP added that to keep abreast with the latest developments at the industry level, based on the current model is a “tremendous challenge”.
“Conventional machines must be Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines for our students to be industry-ready but we are unable to do so on a wide scale.”
NUTP added that proficiency of English in the learning of technical subjects is “much to be desired” as the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) is in English.
Maszlee and NUTP were speaking in response to Dr Mahathir’s comments about TVET.
At a press conference after a special Cabinet meeting at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya on Saturday (Sept 14), Dr Mahathir had said in the coming years, there will be more emphasis on skills development as well as TVET.
“TVET will play an important role in realising this vision because it can help increase the skills of our workers. There will be more priority towards TVET in our national budget allocation,” he said.
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