‘TVET skills prepare youths for labour market, nation building’

PUTRAJAYA: Technical Vocational Education and Training ( TVET) programmes provide essential skills to prepare the youth for the labour market and human capital for nation building, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said TVET was expected to address the multiple demands of economic, social and environmental by helping youth and adults develop the skills needed for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

He said the programmes would also promote equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and support transitions to green economies and environmental sustainability.

“TVET has, for a long time, been regarded as the last option in education and career selection owing to the public perception that the courses are for those who did not perform well academically.

“However, this impression is changing,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 11th Asean Skills Competition (ASC) 2016 here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid also highlighted that more and more governments around the world were recognising the significance of technical and vocational courses to the national economy.

He said developed and industrialised countries were having a higher number of

TVET has, for a long time, been regarded as the last option in education and career selection owing to the public perception that the courses are for those who did not perform well academically. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister

students in the vocational and technical streams.

“Germany for example, has 81 per cent skilled workforce of which, 63 per cent are skilled craftsmen who graduated from a dual training system or vocational colleges, and only 18 per cent graduated from universities,” he said.

Recognising the many socioeconomic advantages of a highlyskilled workforce, Ahmad Zahid said the Malaysian government had implemented and continued to execute initiatives to meet its target of 35 per cent highlyskilled workforce by 2020.

Through the 11th Malaysia Plan, he said Malaysia aspired to become an advanced and inclusive nation, and in realising this, Malaysia would require human capital with knowledge and skills, as well as good ethics and high integrity.

“Malaysia is presently focusing on the development of TVET programmes to ensure a highskilled workforce because by 2020, some 1.5 million jobs will be created and about 60 per cent require TVET skills,” he said.

On the ASC, Ahmad Zahid said it would convey the message to the world community that the youth of Asean region were being trained to prepare themselves to meet the job requirements and contribute to build a better nation.

“I do believe that the Asean Skills Competition will contribute to the development of skills standards in Asean, and subsequently bring it closer to the level of world standards.

“At the same time, strengthen the coordination and cooperation among Asean member states in the field of skills development,” he noted.

Addressing the participants, Ahmad Zahid said they should be proud of their achievements and skills attained, and continue to be passionate and persevere.

“Take pride in your skills and work, continue to learn and keep pace with the changing world. May this competition enhance your confidence, widen your views and provide you with invaluable lessons for your future endeavours,” he added. — Bernama