TVET programmes must match industry needs

> Institute needs to engage stakeholders on type of training for its students: Nurul Izzah

PETALING JAYA: Students must not simply be trained at vocational level for the sake of providing them with a skill but there must be a match-up of skills and industry needs, said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Empowerment Committee chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar ( pix).

She said the TVET programme must meet the needs of the industry, therefore all stakeholders, training institutions and government agencies must consult the private sector on their needs.

“We need to know the demands and requirements of the private sector and tailor our programmes to meet those needs.”

She said 82% of over 50,000 TVET students were from lowincome families and dependent on TVET, but they must be trained in the proper skills to ensure they can earn a good salary.

On the release of Skills Development Fund Corporation loans to needy students, she said: “We cannot afford any more delays to the disbursement of loans as the fate of tens of thousands of students are dependent on the release of the loans to various institutions nationwide.”

Nurul Izzah also said concerns over “undeserving institutions” should be addressed by ensuring tested mechanisms are put in place as per the Department of Skills Development (JPK) five-star rating for institutions.

She added that almost 30,000 students were left stranded in vocational colleges for failing to meet the standards set by JPK and there is an urgent response to address their plight.

She said the type of training provide by TVET institutions also needs to be addressed as many of them are providing training related to the service industry.

She said institutions cannot simply churn out graduates for a certain sector such as the service industry, adding that they need to talk to the private sector .