TVET should be led by single agency, new policy needs clarity, says FMM

PETALING JAYA: The empowerment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should be led by a single agency to further enhance it and ensure sustainability, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

Its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said FMM was confused with the government for not continuing the National TVET Council, but instead, introduced a new Special Cabinet Committee.

“FMM concurs with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the need for the government to partner with industry to address graduates’ skills mismatch.

“In fact, it is even more important that TVET should be industry-led to ensure relevant courses are being taught and that they meet the demands of the industry.

“With the announcement of the Special Cabinet Committee, we are, however, confused with the change in the leadership direction of not continuing with the National TVET Council (MTVET) and consequently, the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC),” he said in a statement on Friday (Feb 3).

The GTIC was an initiative under the council to enhance the industry-government cooperation within the TVET ecosystem through the setting-up of a single industry-led platform.

This is to coordinate and facilitate industry inputs to the TVET policy makers and TVET institutions towards reducing skill gaps, and meeting the skilled manpower needs of the industry.

“Following the Cabinet approval in 2022 on the formation of GITC, much progress has already been made by the private sector, which was tasked by MTVET to take the lead towards the establishment of the GITC, which would work alongside the government towards achieving the strategic thrusts of an industry-led TVET ecosystem.

“The GITC has in fact already been incorporated as a legal entity under the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

“There is, however, no clarity at the current juncture on the future of the MTVET and GITC and the TVET policies being pursued by the new government,” Tan said.

On Thursday (Feb 2), Anwar suggested that the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) step up their involvement and cooperation in empowering TVET.

He said a special committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will explore more new measures to ensure skills and training taught to students match what is required by industries.