Bright future in TVET careers, SPM grads told

Joint effort: Ahmad Zahid looking on after the signing of a MOU between SKS Coach Builders chief executive officer Datuk Roy Soo Kum Kin (second from right) and CRRC EV Group vice-president Zhang Wei (third from left) in Shanghai. Also present are Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Muhamad Alamin (second from left), Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (right) and CRRC EV Group chairman Xiao Gaohua (left). — Bernama

SHANGHAI: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates should consider furthering their tertiary studies in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) fields, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he made the recommendation after taking into account the country’s need to produce more skilled workforce.

“Not all SPM graduates scored straight As. The world does not end there. There are many academic opportunities available. While they can enter the professional field, we must bear in mind that the country needs skilled workers and TVET is the answer,” he said, Bernama reported.

Ahmad Zahid noted that parents were now more open about encouraging their children to take up TVET courses, attracted by premium salaries and a brighter future career offered in the TVET sector.

There are universities in Malaysia which offer degree courses without requiring excellent SPM results, he pointed out.

“We have arranged several special courses, with 70% of the learning conducted in workshops and labs, and only 30% in lecture rooms. For some students, this is an attractive learning prospect,” he added.

On another matter, the Deputy Prime Minister said he had asked for the police to redouble its surveillance and monitoring of online information to address the threat of terrorist activities.

He said the directive came following a disclosure by the South-East Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) that some terrorist groups are now using online video games to recruit young people to join their movement.

“Don’t take the matter lightly, even though we know it (terrorist activity) is under control in Malaysia,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the police, through the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit, has the ability to intensify monitoring of terrorist activities and to take appropriate action.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding, memorandum of agreement and letter of intent respectively between SKS Coach Builders Sdn Bhd (SKS) and CRRC Corporation; Mara Liner and SKS; as well as Mara Corp and China Electrical Equipment Group.