Success story: Falah Farm Field owner Imran Khan was a former polytechnic student. — AZHAR MAHFOF/ The Star
PETALING JAYA: Vocational studies are not just a fall-back option, but can be a launch pad for lucrative careers too, as seen in the case of a polytechnic graduate who is now a million-ringgit farming business owner.
Imran Khan Ibram Khan, 32, who owns Falah Farm Field, said he considered polytechnics after his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) as he was not accepted at the universities he had aimed for.
“A polytechnic was strongly recommended to me because it was more practical, and I would have useful skills upon graduation,” he said.
Taking the step, he pursued a diploma in Communication Engineering at Sultan Idris Shah Polytechnic.
It proved to be a good decision as the job prospects were good, since many companies preferred technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates.
“When I got my first job, the work was closely related to my studies and what I had done,” said Imran Khan.
He immediately got a job in the Klang Valley upon completing his course, with a starting salary of RM1,500.
In 2019, he ventured into his own business by starting a livestock and dairy farm.
“My TVET studies were very important for starting a business. I started from scratch, and could do electrical work and solar panel installation on my own with the skills I had,” he said.
The four-acre (1.6ha) farm, based in Bukit Permata Taman Seri Gombak, now has almost 300 livestock including cows, sheep, goats and chicken, and makes around RM250,000 to RM350,000 per month.
“If you get a polytechnic college offer, accept it, it is a very worthwhile study,” he said, adding that students could get a degree afterwards to increase their career prospects.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia graduate Nurul Atheeka Zaaba, 32, said students who prefer hands-on learning should choose TVET.
“Good education is important and TVET broadens career choices.
“You can become an engineer, supervisor, teacher or a businessman,” she said.
She said that some opt for gig work since they can start earning cash immediately.
“But for long-term career planning, take TVET. It is important to finish your studies,” she added.
Since secondary school, Nurul Atheeka had taken vocational studies because she preferred a more practical education.
She pursued a diploma in communication in engineering electronics and graduated in 2013.
Having enjoyed her TVET studies so much, she continued to get a degree in vocational teaching.
“After graduation, I did administrative work and multiple other jobs – my starting pay was RM1,800,” she added.
Now, Nurul Atheeka is a lecturer in vocational electronics technology at Kolej Vokasional Setapak.
She said many of her fellow course-mates have also landed successful careers after their TVET studies.
