MELAKA: PETRONAS has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young people’s interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through the "Xplore VISTA i-plus programme".
The initiative that was recently held at Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Jasin here, witnessed 150 Form Three students and ten teachers from five secondary schools across the state joining the event.
The programme aimed to give students early exposure to technical skills, particularly in the fast-growing oil and gas sector, which continues to demand highly skilled workers.
It also encouraged students to explore the vast career opportunities available through TVET pathways.
Among the schools that took part were SMK Air Molek, SMK Padang Temu, SMK Ayer Keroh, SMK Bukit Katil and SMK Simpang Bekoh.
Students engaged in a variety of interactive activities such as electrical wiring demonstrations, online simulations, heavy machinery workshops and collaborative training sessions.
The event also featured alumni sharing sessions and education and industry exhibitions by TVET institutions and contractors.
The programme was officiated by Deputy Chairman of Melaka investment, industry and TVET development, Datuk Khaidhirah Datuk Seri Abu Zahar.
PETRONAS Human Capital Investment head Ahmad Munir Akram Ahmad Faiz described the initiative as a vital step in preparing young Malaysians for the future.
“This is a strategic move to ensure that young talents, especially in technical and vocational fields, are developed sustainably and comprehensively.
"We hope this programme will serve as an eye-opening experience for all participants, highlighting the growing importance of TVET in industry," he said.
Since its introduction in 1992, the Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Assistance (Vista) programme has channelled more than RM95mil in investments, benefiting 37 institutions nationwide and producing over 14,000 skilled graduates.
Building on this foundation, the enhanced VISTA i-plus programme takes a more holistic and integrated approach, strengthening collaboration between industries, government agencies and training institutions.
Unlike its predecessor, the industry now drives VISTA i-plus, making it more responsive to market needs and technological developments.
The initiative enjoys strong support from PETRONAS alongside the Malaysian Oil and Gas Services Council, Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation, Human Resource Development Corporation, Construction Industry Development Board as well as relevant ministries and TVET institutions.
In Melaka, the programme has already benefited students at IKM Jasin by producing highly skilled graduates, particularly in specialised fields such as 6G Welding and A4 Machinery Operations.
It also aligns with the establishment of the Melaka TVET Council, which seeks to strengthen the state’s TVET agenda and build a pipeline of highly skilled human capital.
