Penang TVET centres to introduce new programmes, improve equipment

GEORGE TOWN: Vocational and technical education centres in Penang will introduce new programmes and improve training equipment in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) through Budget 2024 allocations.

GiatMARA chief executive officer Ahmad Hamdi Ibrahim said with allocations for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the planned new programmes would be based on current industrial requirements, including Building Electrical Maintenance (BEM) involving the maintenance of systems relating to Internet of Things (IoT).

“This is because new buildings are constructed using IoT, while new programmes, such as the Family Care Services in GiatMara Jelutong, involves skills related to the caring of children and the elderly, which is in great demand currently,” he told Bernama recently, adding that the Agricultural Machinery Maintenance course in Kuala Kedah, Kedah was offered to fulfil the need for agriculture workers.

He said that GiatMara currently has 232 training centres and offered over 700 programmes, with a capacity of over 21,000 trainees annually.

Meanwhile, Penang Regional Development Authority High Skills Institute (Perda-Tech) director Zolkhifli Mohamed said that they would upgrade their workshop and class facilities to boost their student capacity in the automotive field, which is highly sought after by Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers.

“The TVET Thafiz programme here will be improved through upgraded teaching and learning modules that emphasise on a balance between learning and skill excellence,” he said, adding that Perda-Tech was working on improving its programme structure, including rebranding them in line with IR4.0 to remain relevant.

They were developing IoT modules, including the Fiber to the Home course subject to allow studnets to gain skills in installing fiber optic cables and networks, and would be the first institute in the northern region to offer the course when it is implemented in July, he said, while new shortterm courses such as Commercial Scuba Diving will be offered starting middle of the year.

Finally, a vehicle workshop owner in Butterworth, Teh Cheen Lee shared that many employers favoured hiring TVET graduates as they had the necessary skills in various fields.

“Usually, if the TVET students undergo industrial training at our company, I will definitely hire them after they complete their course as they can fulfil the industry requirements, so we do hope that their learning equipment is in line with current demands.

“For example, my company is an automotive company, and currently the industry is expanding, so electric vehicles has become the current demand,” he added.