Rembau: Stigma against Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education has contributed to the low enrollment among students applying to further their studies in the vocational education.
Negri Sembilan Human Resource, Farming and Non Muslim Affairs Committee chairman J Arul Kumar, said the perception that vocational education was designed to suit ‘drop-out’ students needed to be changed.
“Vocational education is equally important with any other education, with the former is set to prepare our country with enough highly skilled technical workers, especially for the industrial department.
“It has been proven that vocational education also provides an option for students to gain employment and successful fulfilling careers. Not only that, the pay in the skilled work environment too is fairly high,” he said when met after his visit at Pedas Industrial Training Institute (ITI) here, today.
Also present at the event was ITI Pedas director, Noor Ariffin Mohd Ariff and other state exco members.
Arul who is also Nilai assemblyman said, ITI which was formed in 2000 didn’t only offer various technical and vocational courses for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers but also to any employees who wish to polish up their technical skills with minimal fee.
“The best part is that enrollment fee for SPM leavers to ITI is free, with free accommodation and food is provided. Students will also receive RM100 monthly allowance,” he said.
Arul said, ITI which can occupy 630 students at a time currently has only 420 students, of which 30 percent of them are from Negri Sembilan.
“We want our Negri-born students from all walks of life and races to benefit from this facility provided for them. It is sad to know that despite the institute being around for almost two decades, its presence is still unknown to many.
“I have discussed this matter with other state assemblymen and we have agreed to help promote the institute by putting as many brochures as possible at our community service offices. Besides that, we will also help to raise public’s awareness on facilities and benefits offered at the institute at our constituency,” he said.