‘300,000 TO GET SKILLS TRAINING’
This is part of the 5 thrusts under TVET programme by 2025, says Najib
THE government plans to train at least 300,000 people from the Bottom 40 income group (B40) under its Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme by 2025.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this was part of the five thrusts in the TVET transformation to develop human resources and bridge the skills gap faced by industry.
He said the government had also set a goal to increase the percentage of skilled workers to 45 per cent by 2030.
“The government wants to develop the skilled workers to a higher level so that their percentage will be on par with other developed nations, such as Switzerland, which has about 50 per cent (skilled workers).
“Between now and 2025, the government is working to train and increase the number of qualified TVET trainers, with the target of producing 20,000 more vocational training officers, who will, in turn, help increase the number of TVET graduates.
“Beside this, the number of specialists in TVET will be increased by another 4,000 by 2025,” he said when launching the TVET Transformation Programme at the Advanced Technology Training Centre in Section 34 here yesterday.
Najib, who announced the rebranding of TVET programme to TVET Malaysia, said providing training through TVET institutions could increase the people’s income, especially those from the B40.
“This B40 group includes the rural people, urban poor, Orang Asli, school leavers as well as dropouts, single mothers and the unemployed.
“Of course, this group must be assisted by TVET institutions so that they can obtain skills training in relevant fields that are suitable with their abilities and interests.
“I am confident that with the skills they acquire, the B40 group will have the potential to get better employment and income, be independent and start their own enterprise.
“We also plan to introduce TVET to tahfiz students.
“TVET will be an added knowledge to their skills in memorising the Quran.”
Najib also announced new initiatives to propel TVET transformation, including the development of a comprehensive TVET masterplan.
He said the government, through Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd (PSMB), allocated RM50 million for strategic TVET programmes and RM75 million to support Industrial Revolution 4.0 through cooperation with education institutions and employer associations.
He said the government would review charges related to filing of intellectual properties, as well as giving incentives, with the aim of encouraging innovation, especially through TVET institutions.
“To achieve our targets, I would like to announce that firstly, the government will develop a comprehensive TVET masterplan to be coordinated by the Human Resources Ministry and assisted by other ministries.
“Secondly, PSMB has also allocated 30 per cent from Kumpulan Wang Pembangunan Sumber Manusia’s levy as a pool fund to execute strategic programmes to support the objective of raising the percentage of skilled workers.
“From this 30 per cent, the government, through PSMB, allocates RM50 million from this 30 per cent pool fund for TVET, in line with the aspiration and vision of our National Transformation 2050.”