Industries roped in to upgrade workforce skills under TVET

PUTRAJAYA: Industries will now be directly involved in skills development through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to ensure that workforce abilities match market demand.

Their involvement is made possible through the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC), which was set up after a TVET Council meeting on Thursday (Feb 3).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the GITC's membership comprised 12 sector-based associations which agreed to come together to ensure the success of the country’s TVET agenda.

“The meeting has also agreed to set up TVET collaboration hubs and this initiative will be the platform between TVET institutes, regional economic development authorities and industries to share expertise and technologies,” he said in a statement after chairing the meeting.

A total of 12 hubs have been identified, including automotive, semiconductor, marine, air conditioning, aerospace, robotics, rail, telecommunications, hospitality and tourism, and food technology.

“Efforts undertaken by the council are significant to realise strategies and initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” said the Prime Minister.

Under Budget 2022, the government has allocated RM6.6bil to strengthen TVET through initiatives that will be implemented by various ministries and agencies.

“It is time that TVET becomes the main choice among youth as it has been proven that the training it provides is able to produce skilled and entrepreneurially inclined individuals,” he said.

The meeting also agreed for TVET to be rebranded and for more promotional campaigns to be held.

“This is to get rid of the perception that TVET is 'second-class education' and is no longer relevant.

“Through campaigns and promotions, we hope TVET will become a choice at par with academic education and as in developed countries, knowledge from training under TVET can be made into a career,” he said.