Applications for TVET programmes up 3.75% in last six months, says Zahid

PASIR MAS: Applications to join Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes have increased by 3.75% from January to June this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also National TVET Council chairman, said that this increase demonstrates that the perception and assumption that TVET is for individuals who have dropped out academically is not true but instead, it can become a primary career pathway for youths.

He said that the government has made significant investments in providing various infrastructure and facilities to ensure the realisation of the TVET mainstreaming agenda.

"There are now a total of 1,345 public and private TVET institutions operating nationwide.

"Youths with a tendency towards technical pedagogy who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) have the opportunity to join TVET programmes starting from the Certificate level, Diploma, and up to the highest levels," he said.

He told this to reporters after officiating the Madani 1.0 Youth Career and Sports Carnival at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Ibrahim 1, here on Saturday (July 6).

"TVET should be considered as an educational pathway that can be chosen by anyone based on their interests and inclinations," he said.

He noted that the employment rate for TVET graduates is high, reaching 94.5%, as most employers aim to reduce dependence on foreign workers, especially in the dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) sectors.

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Commenting on applications from the Orang Asli community for TVET programmes, Ahmad Zahid said the government targets emplacement of 400 Orang Asli at TVET centres nationwide this year.

"Last year, around 350 Orang Asli joined TVET programmes, indicating that this community is proactive in participating in TVET. I will establish a special entry scheme for Orang Asli in TVET," he said.

On May 30, Ahmad Zahid was reported as saying that 220 China companies offered 5,125 places for Malaysian students to undergo TVET-related training for short, medium, and long terms, which will be a game changer in boosting the TVET industry in Malaysia.

This offer resulted from a collaboration between the National Skilled Workers Organisation (Belia Mahir) and the TVET-related industry in China, namely Beifang Automotive Education Group and Tang (M) International Education Group, through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed. - Bernama