TVET committee on the right track
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Maszlee (sixth left) with industry players
who were given the Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) Empowerment Committee mandate. With him are Human Resources
Minister M. Kulasegaran (fifth left), Education Ministry secretary
general Datuk Dr Mohd Gazali Abas (fourth right) and Education Ministry
polytechnic education and community college department director Dr
Mohammad Naim Yaakub (third right).
TECHNICAL and vocational education training (TVET)
can lead to more lucrative jobs compared to some fields more suited for
the academically-inclined.
Yet, very few people pursue this
education pathway due to it being regarded as less prestigious. To
counter this perception, the Government has been actively promoting TVET
to society through various programmes and initiatives.
When
tabling Budget 2020, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said RM5.9bil will
be pumped into the TVET sector, emphasising its importance in producing
the nation’s human capital. The Government’s efforts have not been in
vain, thanks to the TVET Empowerment Cabinet Committee (JKKPTVET),
formed after a directive from the Cabinet last August.
The
committee is chaired by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik and consists
of Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, Human
Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq
Syed Abdul Rahman, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell
Leiking, Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Redzuan Mohd
Yusof, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin
Nasution Ismail, Works Minister Baru Bian, Agriculture and Agro-based
Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub and TVET Technical Committee
chairperson Tan Sri Datuk Soh Thian Lai.
A bright future lies ahead for TVET in Malaysia, says Maszlee.
During their first meeting, the committee outlined three main
points. They envisioned a skilled workforce will exist in Malaysia by
2030. They are on a mission to empower the workforce with industry-based
skills to drive the national economy.
They planned on doing
this through five main recommendations beginning with the establishment
of a National TVET Coordinating Body, financial model, joint ownership
model, Industry TVET certification and a single national TVET brand.
To
date, the committee appears to be on track to achieve their goals.
JKKPTVET has aligned its objectives with all current government policy
and initiatives, including the TVET 4.0 Framework by Department of
Polytehcnic and Community Colleges (DPCCE), to prepare all TVET
institutions to face the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
(IR4.0).
The document explains how IR4.0 changes in Malaysia’s
social, political and economic landscape will affect our future
employment needs.
There are six key pillars outlined in the
framework that support a number of strategies and initiatives to drive
change in TVET education. This will not only generate more skilled human
capital who can also think critically and are humane.
The six
core areas are Quality TVET Graduates, Responsive and Sustainable
Governance, Technology-Driven Talent, TVET Education System, Industry
and Community Collaboration, and Applied Research and Innovation.
The
TVET Innovation Ecosystem is also another DPCCE initiative to empower
industrialisation within TVET institutions to establish a structured
network of industries in polytechnics and community colleges with
selected industries.
The availability of highly skilled workers is key for a nation’s sustainable economic development.
Four
polytechnics – Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin
Abdul Aziz Shah, Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan and Politeknik Sultan Abdul
Halim Mu’adzam Shah – were chosen to pilot this initiative.
The
first TVET Innovation Ecosystem workshop was held on Oct 14 to identify
the strengths and potential of these institution’s ecosystem and also
set the direction for future collaborations.
We cannot live in a
cocoon, shielding ourselves from the rest of the world if we want to
succeed. Hence, DPCCE implemented various initiatives to
internationalise Malaysia’s polytechnics and community colleges.
For
example, a group of students from local polytechnics and community
colleges were sent to be part of the fourth batch of Southeast Asia
(SEA) TVET Student Exchange Programme.
The exchange programme
saw a total of 111 inbound and 95 outbound students moving between
Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines from July until November this
year.Their participation has opened a wider network for Malaysia to
other Asean TVET institutions and various industries involved.
This
has also benefited polytechnic and community college students who
participate in international programmes by improving their communication
skills, bolstering their self-confidence, learning about other
countries’ cultures and languages.
They also learn about the new technologies and knowledge available in the countries they travel to.
The
DPCCE has also received international delegates from various countries
such as China, Canada, Bhutan, the United Kingdom and Japan to discuss
various issues and collaborations that may take place in the field of
TVET.
Maszlee (seated, centre) observing the demonstration on dominoes during a visit to SJK (T) Sungai Ara in Bayan Lepas, Penang.
TVET for everyone
The Tahfiz TVET initiative was created by the Government to strengthen and widen the scope of Tahfiz education to include TVET.
This
opens up opportunities for tahfiz students to venture into recognised
TVET fields without ignoring their religious education. As a result,
Malaysia will see a generation of religious scholars who can even
compete in the IR4.0 era.
In order to carry out the initiative,
four Tahfiz TVET models have been introduced through Lifelong Learning
Model, Modular Lifelong Learning Model, Tahfiz and TVET Model and the
Malaysian Skills Certificate Model.
These models were presented
to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim’s) Education
and Education Coordination Board last September.
A lack of
understanding of the TVET field has been cited as one of the reasons
parents and students shy away from this sector. Then there is also a
perceived lack of glamour and prestige in having a skills-based career.
To
counter this, JKKPTVET has been organising the Explore TVET Expos
around the country from September to November, beginning in the northern
region to Sabah and then to central region.
A logo and slogan
creation competition was also held to positively enhance the perception
about Malaysia’s TVET system and at the same time, create a special
image of the country’s TVET sector.
There is also the selection
of a TVET Influencer who can be a notable figure or celebrity. These
role models are key when trying to influence a change of perception
among youths towards TVET.
Industries have also gotten involved to ensure that supply meets demand in terms of human capital.
The
TVET Valued Industry Partners award refers to the industry partners
that have given its commitment, cooperation and support and contribution
to the implementation of TVET programmes at the national level.
This
award is an initiative by JKKPTVET to recognise and promote industry’s
contribution in strengthening the National TVET field.
A TVET Empowerment: Industry Dialogue was also held on Sept 26, involving 400 representatives from industries.
These
efforts in strengthening TVET has yielded success in buy-ins and it is
reflected with more than 180 personnel from various stakeholders, which
includes relevant ministries, TVET institutions, industry players, NGO,
employers association, agencies and many more, to become technical
committee members of JKKPTVET.
