BANTING: The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) field is open to all students regardless of academic qualifications.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this includes outstanding students who achieved straight As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), as it is believed that their participation could shorten the course duration.
He also stated that the opportunity to join TVET should be considered by these outstanding students, especially those who excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, as TVET is not limited to those with minimal qualifications.
"We have 11,173 students who achieved straight As in the SPM (2023), and they can choose to enter TVET, as we have colleges and universities available.
"Currently, there are five TVET universities in the country, including UniKL (Kuala Lumpur University), where students can choose to enter directly from the entry level through community colleges and vocational institutions.
"They can also start working immediately if they choose to do so after obtaining the Malaysian Skills Certificates or if they want to work while studying. We have courses that can suit their flexible schedules," he said during a walkabout at the 2024 National TVET Day held at the Kuala Langat Industrial Training Institute.
Present during the walkabout were Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and Ipoh Timor Member of Parliament Howard Lee Chuan How.
Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, expressed hopes that the first TVET intake in July would absorb at least 40 percent of recent SPM graduates.
"There are 250,000 available places for TVET nationwide, and currently, there are approximately 280,000 potential SPM applicants (from last year).
"We hope that the first intake in July will be able to absorb at least 40 per cent into TVET.
"I believe that the courses offered are in line with the demands of foreign direct investment (FDI) from international and domestic companies, and can provide job opportunities," he said.
Zahid also mentioned that TVET is open to students without SPM qualifications as long as they have the minimum skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic (3M).
Meanwhile, he added that TVET should become the first choice for students as the field could provide better career opportunities and higher salaries.
"I believe that we should emulate other developed countries where TVET is the first choice for students to pursue their studies.
"In Japan particularly, TVET, known as Kosen, is the first choice for students who have completed their secondary education and provides opportunities for students starting at 15 years old."