Fadhlina: Skills training not ‘second class’ option
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a valuable pathway that can enhance the marketability of future graduates.

It is wrong, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, to perceive TVET as “second class” as it can ensure employability across sectors.

She said the ministry is working on changing the mindset of students and parents by elevating the status of TVET as an important educational pathway.

“We are committed to changing the widespread belief that TVET is a second tier option so that more students would consider it.

“We often hear that those who do not perform well academically are limited in their options and thus, are forced to pursue TVET. This is not true. TVET is a primary field of study.

“It is essential that we enhance TVET to ensure its relevance and to enable us to channel skilled graduates to the industry,” she said on Dec 12.

Fadhlina was speaking at the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the ministry and Selangor Technical Skills Development Center (STDC) in Shah Alam.

Aimed at providing high-level TVET modules focusing on the latest technology, specifically in industrial automation and digitisation, the MoU marks the bilateral cooperation between STDC and the ministry’s Vocational Education and Technical Training Division (BPLTV).

The government, said Fadhlina, is focused on the expansion, benefit and opportunities that TVET education presents, particularly in nurturing local expertise to steer Malaysia forward.

The MoU, she added, is a mandate to support young minds and talents in technical and vocational fields.

“Through this cooperation, TVET graduates will be exposed to the latest technological developments, especially automation innovation, digitisation and other high impact fields that can drive the country’s economy and bring us on par with the developed nations,” she said.

STDC, which is under the purview of the Selangor government, has initiated various sponsorship programmes for students in vocational colleges since 2022.

The programmes, said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, have had a positive impact on enhancing graduate marketability and career development.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said in 2018, the state education committee had visited countries like Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to meet with industry operators and to gain insights into enhancing TVET education in both the state and the country, to seek ways to uplift the status and effectiveness of TVET.

The rationale for uplifting the status of TVET, he said, is to meet market demands.

“When engaging with investors, we learnt that our nation is facing a skills disparity,” he said, adding that addressing the skills mismatch is crucial as many graduates have expressed difficulty in finding employment.

The Selangor state development master plan, he said, prioritises the advancement of the high-level TVET sector.

With this as a priority, STDC and the state government has forged key partnerships with leading players in the digital sector, including Apple, to develop the curricula for areas such as application development, creative content, and cybersecurity.

Amirudin said the MoU will also see professional certification elements from STDC being weaved into the curriculum of vocational colleges to add value and marketability to students and to develop the professional certification of teaching staff.

“This partnership serves as a platform to foster a strong collaboration between the Selangor state government and the Education Ministry in the realm of cutting-edge technology.

“It extends beyond the confines of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) requirements to the designing of new programmes as the community migrates towards automation and digitisation to improve their social-economic status,” he said.
Fadhlina Sidek,education,TVET
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a valuable pathway that can enhance the marketability of future graduates.