THE newly launched National Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) Policy 2030 as well as the additional RM200 million allocation for TVET programmes, can be a game-changer in improving the employability of graduates, sayemployer groups.
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the government's decision to provide the additional allocation was a step in the right direction, and should focus on technology and high-value creation sectors.
"We believe TVET will be a preferred choice of industries and students given the skills they will acquire from TVET institutes, which are equipped with the latest teaching facilities and high-quality lecturers.
"What is important is that the TVET ecosystem must be re-engineered with having the latest technology for its training facilities in addition to revamping the curriculum.
"Skills set (gained) through TVET can propel our country to be among the top 30 economies of the world and achieve high-income and advance-nation (status)," he told the New Straits Times.
Soh also addressed the Malay-sian Employers Federation's 2023 Surveys, which claimed that only 39.6 per cent of respondents, or employers, actively recruited TVET graduates.
This raised questions about the level of employability for those deciding to pursue TVET.
Soh said TVET graduates were sought after by companies.
"Firstly, the MEF survey results are not representative (of the situation) and I don't think it is reflective of the actual employability of TVET graduates.
"Based on FMM's information, more than 90 per cent of TVET graduates are employed," he said.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would provide an additional RM200 million to boost TVET programmes to meet the demand of high-value sectors.
He said the industries included in the allocation were electric vehicles, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, electronics technology (integrated circuit design), engineering design and wafer fabrication, farm mechanisation, and agricultural and livestock automation.
He said the nearly RM8 billion allocation provided by the government was among the highest ever for TVET, and it should elevate the field to the highest level like in advanced countries.
Meanwhile, MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the move would encourage the development of TVET programmes that were aligned with sustainable development.
"This will in turn create high-impact jobs that meet the demands of Industry 4.0, alleviate climate change, encourage sustainability, create demographic shifts and adapt global value chain integration.
"Jobs related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science and cybersecurity are seeing an upward trend in demand.
"Malaysia's focus on digital transformation — that is,producing more IT professionals, software developers and tech specialists — is on track," he said.
He added that the country's interest in sustainable practices and renewable energy could experience a growth in jobs related to environmental impact assessment, sustainable development, and renewable energy projects.
Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre president Datuk Mohamed Shafie B.P. Mammal said the extra fund could upscale TVET's educational value, if properly used.
"The goal is to develop new curriculums and boost training speed to keep up with industry demands.
"The fund should focus on education and training rather than administrative costs."
He noted the mismatch between the training provided and job market demands, proposing that the government and TVET institutions collaborate with industry players to align the curriculum with market needs.
"There should be engagement between TVET, MEF and major companies to understand what skills are in demand."