MELAKA: A proposal to set up a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) commission is being mulled, in line with the broader TVET reform agenda, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the recommendation emerged from impressive achievements under the National TVET Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, including a notable rise in student participation.
“I appreciate the council’s work and as someone monitoring progress first-hand, there are proposals worth considering, among them establishing a commission for TVET.
“We shall assess how swiftly this can be implemented given current developments,” he said when launching the National TVET Day 2025 celebration.
“With the number of students and types of training increasing, I will look into whether current facilities are adequate and how to create synergy between government-linked companies, private sector players and existing TVET institutions.”
The Prime Minister also underscored TVET’s pivotal role in creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting future industrial needs.
He said TVET graduates deserve a better starting salary, reflecting their skills and strong employability.
“Previously, we set the minimum wage at RM1,700. But for TVET fields with employment rates of up to 98%, such a salary is inadequate.
“We aim to increase the starting pay to RM3,000 where feasible,” he said, adding the adjustment would reflect deserved recognition by multinational and local companies.
Anwar also said an additional RM40mil has been announced for the National TVET Council, along with RM10mil in aid for Melaka’s TVET entrepreneurship initiatives.
“It is crucial for students to seize this opportunity to contribute to national development.
“Unlike many of our neighbours, Malaysia is one of the few nations that provides such strong support, financial and otherwise, for TVET students,” said the Prime Minister.
The three-day National TVET Day includes nine sectoral exhibitions ranging from transportation, aerospace and electronics to agriculture, construction and services, with over 60 employers offering some 5,000 job opportunities.
