KUALA LANGAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will provide an additional RM200 million to boost technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes to meet the demand of high-value sectors.
He said the funds would be channelled through the Skills Development Fund Corporation to support students pursuing skill development programmes.
He added that the industries included electric vehicles, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, electronics technology (integrated circuit design), engineering design and wafer fabrication, farm mechanisation, and agricultural and livestock automation.
"These industries encompass energy transition, technology and digitalisation, high-value electrical and electronics, and agriculture and essential farming activities.
"The financial support in these critical fields will encourage TVET institutions to develop training programmes aligned with the government's vision to strengthen high-growth and high-value sectors and industries.
"This aligns with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP), aiming to create high-impact job opportunities that meet the demands of Industry 4.0, alleviate climate change, encourage sustainability, create demographic shifts and adapt global value chain integration," he said when launching the National TVET Day 2024 here.
Present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Human Resource Minister Steven Sim.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said seven courses would start next month with the enrolment of 15,000 students.
"We have shortlisted students for the intake of the courses that will run until the end of this year. The infrastructure is ready, so we will start next month."
He said they agreed to a US$1,000 minimum wage for the local workforce based on engagement sessions with several foreign companies, and training for workers would be conducted based on the needs of the companies to avoid mismatch.
Zahid also said the RM200 million funding was one of three initiatives proposed to elevate the TVET programme.
"The first proposal presented to the prime minister is to implement the TVET day celebration in schools. This will embed TVET within the educational framework and offer students a clearer understanding of vocational pathways before graduation."
He added that there are also proposals to create specialised TVET programmes for underrepresented groups, including Indigenous communities and persons with disabilities.
"The second proposal to create more TVET segments for people with disabilities and indigenous people from Sabah and Sarawak also aligns with the Madani economic framework."