BUTTERWORTH: A rebranding will see Mara Institutions offer an improved syllabus, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said all Mara Technical Skills Colleges, Mara Skills Institutes and the Mara Japan Industrial Institute have rebranded and would be known as TVETMara.
"There are 25 institutions in total, and they will be rebranded. They will offer "high-TVET, high skill" education. It will be an improved syllabus compared with what is offered right now," he said during a press conference held after the TVETMara rebranding launch ceremony at TVETMara in North Seberang Perai on Tuesday (Jan 27).
He said that the Mara Skills Certificate has different levels.
"It begins with the Mara Skills Certificate Levels 1 to 3 (Technical and Vocational).
“Then for levels 4 and 5, it will fall under TVETMara," he said.
Ahmad Zahid, the chairman of the National TVET Committee, said that this was followed by higher education at institutions like Universiti Kuala Lumpur, where they can pursue Bachelor's, Master's, and even PhD degrees.
"If they want to continue to dive into their field of work with their professional qualifications, they can go into the field of work.
There will always be space to continue their studies on a full-time or part-time basis," he said.
He said that those who do not have the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification or did not obtain SPM credits could still progress, especially in this TVET field.
“It will provide work opportunities, as all these institutions have established cooperation with industry players.
“That is why their marketability is at 98.7%," he said.
He said that Mara Skills Institute has reached 100% marketability or employability.
"With this rebranding, I hope that this 100% achievement can not only be maintained but also continue to provide more opportunities for them to upgrade themselves.
The Federal Government is putting in efforts to source 60,000 local engineers, especially in the Electrical and Electronics field.
We will provide more opportunities for them to further their education.
It is not difficult to achieve this goal if we take this seriously," he said.
