Look into TVET to prepare country for industrial boom

PETALING JAYA: With high-technology investments continuing to come in from China to Malaysia, it is crucial to develop a larger skilled workforce, says a trade group.

A prominent local vocational institution has also called on Malaysian youth to leverage this upcoming trend and equip themselves well for the market.

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China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM) president Datuk Keith Li said more skilled workers should be trained to meet business needs.

“The investments are coming in, but we need to look at the available manpower.

“The country needs more local skilled workers and technicians to cope with fast growing business needs,” said Li, who was part of the 200-member trade delegation from Malaysia during Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s maiden visit there as Prime Minister.

Li said the smart technology, cloud computing and digital transformation industries were among the sectors that made investments in Malaysia.

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He said Malaysia was a good choice for Chinese investors, with government relations playing an important role.

“They are also impressed by the stability and business-friendly policies here. Malaysia as a whole is good in terms of value, investment, cost of living, and also the living environment,” he said.

When compared to neighbouring countries in the region, Li said Malaysia could add value by having a more streamlined and efficient approval process for key posts at the management level.

He said PUCM is also organising the China Smart Industry, Trade and Culture exhibition in Kuala Lumpur later this month.

It acts as a platform for both Malaysian and Chinese enterprises to interact with one another.

Vocational Training College Malaysia Institute chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang said Malaysian youth should utilise this opportunity to ensure they are well-prepared for the market.

“The World Economy Forum predicted that 69 million jobs will be created and 83 million jobs destroyed, leading to a contraction of global labour markets of 14 million jobs in the next five years at the present rate of change.

“There will be new jobs where 60% will be based on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

“It is the right direction for students to be serious about taking up TVET now, emulating Germany, where 60% of their youth are into TVET, which is their mainstream education,” she said in an interview yesterday.

While less than 30% of Malaysian students pursue TVET, she believes that more are unwilling to study science.