A rise in TVET graduates
Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) reported an increase in students from an intake of 17 students in 2014 to 171 students this year for its vocational and technical education.
This was announced by MGCC general manager Thomas Brandt during the graduation ceremony for the first batch of German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) alumni recently.
Following Budget 2018’s focus on bringing TVET education to Malaysian school-leavers, MGCC expects the number of students to rise even further.
The GDVT is a German TVET-based training approach which started in Malaysia in 2014. The programme targets SPM school-leavers by offering both employment and on-the-job training.
Comprising 75 per cent practice and 25 per cent theory, the programme was developed in line with The National Dual Training System (SLDN) and coordinated by MGCC together with the Department of Skills Development (JPK).
The graduating batch of young trainees from Industrial Management and Logistic Operations Management had completed three years of a TVET-based approach hinged on German training standards.
They received a Malaysian Skills Advanced Diploma (DLKM/NOSS Level 5) and a German Chamber Certificate (AHK-DIHK).
The ceremony was attended by the JPK chief director Dr. Mohd Rashid Buyong Hamzah and German Embassy (Economic, Commercial and Environmental Affairs) counsellor Jens Brinckmann.
GDVT Department (Penang) head Sascha Alexander Kuhn said: “Having worked as a vocational in-company trainer for many years in one of Germany’s biggest companies, I strongly believe that vocational hands-on training combined with theory learning creates a solid base for a great career and opens ample opportunities for the future, not only for oneself but for the company.”
“Many of my former trainees are now leading teams, perform better and are more loyal to the company than the untrained workforce. I am glad to see that in Malaysia not only more companies but also more young Malaysians see GDVT as the preferred way of training,” he added.
Since its inception, the GDVT unit has led the charge for technical and vocational education in Malaysia. It gives learners the opportunity to obtain skills focused on entering a particular industry.
Companies joining the programme also have the opportunity to create a pool of qualified professionals with industryspecific skills and qualifications.
“The dual vocational system combines learning at the company with learning in school and prepares the trainees for the successful transition to the labour world. The practice-oriented training of specialists in the dual vocational system has led Germany to its economic success and has contributed to its international reputation. The benefit of education to the company consists of a variety of different elements which can only partly be assessed in monetary terms,” said Panalpina Transport (M) Sdn Bhd Country managing director Sascha Kuehl.
MGCC, to which GDVT belongs, is an active advocate of building a skilled workforce for a wide range of fields. The GDVT alumni is its first success of implementing vocational education based on German standards in Malaysia.