SHAH ALAM: Students who do not excel in their secondary school academics can potentially earn high salaries by exploring opportunities in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes, including courses such as physiotherapy.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said physiotherapy TVET courses provide promising long-term career opportunities.
This, he said, was due to the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare and rehabilitation sectors in the country.
"This field requires diploma or degree certification, but as a start, there are some TVET institutes that can give basic training in physiotherapy.
"Our country needs more physiotherapists, and this field can be pursued without going through the conventional academic system.
"Some TVET centres can provide basic training for Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) 1 and SKM 2 in the field of physiotherapy."
He said this after officiating the opening of the Propain Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center in Shah Alam.
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said more physiotherapists were required to meet the needs of the population.
"In developed countries, there is a ratio of one physiotherapist for every 2,000 people.
"But in our country, there is one physiotherapist for every 7,400 people."
He also assured that Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates who did not excel can still earn good-paying salary in the field of physiotherapy.
"This is a long-term step that should be embraced by those taking TVET, and the salary offered is actually better for those with TVET qualifications.
"The government has set premium wages, for example, for SKM2 and SKM5, which in my opinion, are higher than the minimum wage."