JOHOR BARU: Johor is positioning itself as a southern hub for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with plans to align its programmes with industry demands and deepen regional collaborations, says state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin.
He said the state government has proposed that the Johor Skills Complex be designated as the TVET southern hub.
“This move will support the implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and strengthen Johor’s role as a supplier of highly skilled workers for the regional job market,” he said in an interview.
Aznan said he presented the proposal during the National TVET Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Putrajaya recently.
He noted that the initiatives by Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) and the role of the Johor Skills Complex were highlighted during the meeting.
“The goal is to ensure local youths receive training, skills and exposure in line with today’s industry needs,” he said.
Aznan said TVET courses in Johor should also be tailored to the strengths of specific localities.
“For instance, Pengerang, which is known for its oil and gas industry, should focus on related technical courses. This targeted approach will nurture quality talent to meet market demand more strategically,” he said.
The state government is committed to strengthening TVET development through JTDC initiatives, with strong backing from both the state and federal governments, he said.
“This collaboration will help make Johor a leading destination for investment, education and quality human capital development,” he added.
Aznan also said JTDC is forging new international ties to boost Johor’s TVET landscape.
For example, he had led a delegation from JTDC to Republic Polytechnic in Singapore to explore potential collaborations.
“The visit was an important platform to learn best practices in TVET while also discussing areas of strategic cooperation with the polytechnic,” he said.
Aznan said the discussions focused on institutional facilities, curriculum alignment with industry needs, technology exchange, research and innovation, as well as student mobility programmes to widen cross-border learning opportunities.
“These initiatives will add value to Johor’s TVET ecosystem and ensure it remains competitive and relevant in the face of global changes,” he said.
Aznan said the collaboration between JTDC and the polytechnic will bring benefits to human capital development in Johor, particularly in high-impact sectors such as digital economy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and green technology.
He is confident that the working visit would serve as a benchmark for future collaborations.
