ALOR GAJAH: Special attention will continue to be given to youth not only in urban areas but also those in rural areas and interiors nationwide, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the unity government would remain committed to the youth agenda and provide ample opportunities for youth aiming to improve themselves and increase their income through training and better job opportunities.
“There is great potential in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for youths.
“This has been proven by the fact that there are many job opportunities for such graduates, including a high marketability rate of 92.5% in 2022,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister.
He said this was important since the Malaysian manpower statistics for March and the first quarter of 2023 estimated that the unemployment rate for youths aged between 15 and 24 to be 11.2%.
He said this at the Gerakan Belia 4B Malaysia 44th Annual General Meeting 2023 here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid’s speech was read out by his political secretary Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.
Also present at the meeting, which was attended by more than 300 youth representatives nationwide, was Gerakan Belia 4B movement president Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali.
“So, if you ask me, everyone knows I am empowering TVET in carrying out efforts to provide more educational and employment opportunities for youths nationwide,” Ahmad Zahid said, Bernama reported.
“Based on that, the government, through the National TVET Policy which will be launched soon, will refine and improve TVET education to produce more competent manpower in certain fields to meet industry demand and contribute to economic growth.”
He added that the Gerakan Belia 4B movement could promote the TVET agenda and even become the link between the government, industries and youth nationwide.
“It is my great hope that these youth leaders play an active role in the process of bringing about this change, which will then lead towards creating the Malaysia we dream of,” he said.
