KUALA LANGAT: National values must be instilled in youth as the country strives to boost human capital in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) fields and disciplines.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the students, regardless of their races, must understand the country's history in order to achieve this.
"There are Malays, Indians, Chinese, and others, so they (the values) must be there.
"Otherwise they will only have skills but without these values," he told reporters after launching the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day and National TVET Policy 2030 at the Industrial Training Centre here today.
The policy outlined five strategic thrusts, namely, world-class quality and education; efficient and productive industry collaboration; sustainable TVET financing and promoting TVET as the primary career choice.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi later said the new intake of TVET students would first undergo an induction process before starting their respective technical programmes.
"We have the module ready (under the Malaysia Madani National Training), to be implemented by the Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia," he told reporters after the event.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, earlier in his speech, called on all parties to pool their resources in elevating TVET-related careers in the country.
"This is not a matter of ministries, departments or agencies, but (TVET) involves everyone in the country.
"All quarters, including educators, look at TVET from a new lens of creating a new spirit for charting the country's future."
He said TVET, and the youths, would ensure that Malaysia would excel in high-technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the future.
He said new methods and technologies needed to be employed in ensuring the country would not lose out amidst the imminent rapid changes during post-normal times.
"If we don't change, we will not be left behind and the young people need to master these (new ways) in determining the country's future.
"The government will provide the infrastructure, but the younger generation must make full use of the opportunities."
He said youths should consider furthering studies in TVET as the country attracts more investments in different fields, including semiconductors.
He said Germany, as well as several European countries, the United States and China are importers of chips for electronic devices from Malaysia.