Beijing agrees to permanently host proposed international body
TIANJIN: China has agreed in principle to Malaysia’s proposal to establish a World TVET Council, with Beijing expected to host the body permanently, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and its Education Minister had agreed to the proposal, with the next step likely to involve securing approval through the Chinese Cabinet.
“I made the proposal and formally presented it in my speech. I am confident it can be implemented,” he told reporters after addressing the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference.
In his keynote address, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia proposed the setting up of the council to boost global cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Deputy Prime Minister said the World TVET Council would serve as a sustained international platform, bringing together nations, industries and educational institutions to shape a shared agenda for skills, technology and workforce development.
“The Council would bring nations, industry and institutions together in shaping a shared global agenda for the future of skills, technology and workforce development,” he said.
“It will allow countries to benefit from China’s experience and knowledge in TVET.”
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia’s partnership with China was proof how international cooperation could be translated into tangible opportunities for young people, through training placements, exposure to technology and better career prospects.
Through the collaboration, Malaysia secured 5,125 training opportunities in 2024 and another 2,500 placements for 2026.
Ahmad Zahid said the initiative would also support Malaysia’s efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of industries, including the semiconductor sector.
“Skills are seen as the new currency of economic progress and China has much to offer in connecting TVET with industry,” he said.
“This conviction has guided my engagements with China’s leadership, including my participation in bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.”
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia was moving towards high-impact TVET, focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, semiconductors and other emerging technologies to prepare workers for higher-value jobs.
“We are seeing great progress. TVET participation in Malaysia grew by over 33% between 2020 and 2025.
“In 2025, nearly 57% of school leavers continuing their studies chose TVET, while graduate employability reached almost 96%,” he said.
Separately, Ahmad Zahid welcomed the setting up of a Luban training centre in Malaysia, adding that the move would help improve the skills of Malaysian instructors and lecturers through training and access to the latest technology.
He said Malaysia had proposed that the programme work with the Malaysia-China Institute and local TVET institutions.
Countries such as Thailand and Indonesia had already benefited from similar initiatives, he said, and expressed hope that Malaysia could follow suit.
A Luban workshop is an international vocational and technical education programme initiated by China to train local workers in partner countries.
