MELAKA: The Asean TVET Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue (ATC 4th RPD) must chart a clear way forward for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
He said the dialogue is about building an Asean-wide ecosystem, one that places TVET at the centre of the region's future, with the Asean TVET Council as the nerve centre that connects policies, aligns standards, and drives shared growth.
"First, we must expand TVET access to rural communities, especially youth, because the future cannot be built on urban skills alone.
"In Malaysia, GiatMara, a long-standing TVET institution under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and my ministry, has shown what's possible. It has equipped rural youth with skills, and over 50 graduates have become millionaires in various technical fields," he said in his keynote address at the ATC 4th RPD, themed "TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement" here on Wednesday (June 11).
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Melaka State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang and representatives from Asean, Germany and Australia.
He emphasised that Asean must work to bridge the skills gap by promoting industry-driven, demand-based training programmes.
According to him, the region needs a talent pipeline shaped by the needs of factories, plantations, and emerging green industries across Asean, and to achieve this, it requires industries to co-develop training, share apprenticeships, and open cross-border job opportunities.
"Thirdly, we must build TVET as a full ecosystem, aligning education, industry, infrastructure, certification and digital access, all guided by data and coordinated by ATC," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that as Asean Chair this year, Malaysia is ready to coordinate and lead.
"We propose the formalisation of Malaysia as the Asean TVET Certification and Excellence Hub, and we look forward to the full support of all member states in making this a shared regional legacy," he said.
He said TVET is no longer on the sidelines, as it now stands at the very centre of national economic strategies, and in this global race for relevance, skills are the new currency.
"Malaysia is not only championing skills development, but also laying the groundwork for Asean to become a TVET powerhouse.
"Let us work together to ensure TVET remains accessible, relevant and future-proof for all. Let us commit to building an Asean where no talent is left untapped and no community is left behind.
"With the right mix of training, mentorship and market access, TVET becomes a powerful tool for poverty eradication and generational change," he said. – Bernama
