Only 28 Per Cent Of 12 Million Work Force In Malaysia Are Highly Skilled

TVET & Vocational Training - Malaysian News

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) — Only 28 per cent of the 12 million work force in Malaysia are highly skilled, said Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Ismail Abdul Mutalib.

As such, he said the Human Resource Ministry would cooperate actively with the Education Ministry and the private sector to achieve the target of 50 per cent of the work force comprising highly skilled workers by the year 2020.

“Registration for vocational courses would be increased from time to time to reach 300,000 places compared with only about 130,000 places currently,” he told reporters after officiating the 2nd International Skills Conference 2013, here Monday.

Ismail said strategic cooperation with the private sector was also important in efforts to transfer technology and expertise from abroad to churn out skilled work force among the locals.

“We will increase forums at the international level such as the one today where the local delegates who were present had vast opportunities to exchange ideas with the developed nations such as Australia and the United Kingdom,” he said.

The two-day conference, themed ‘Tranforming the Skills Workforce: Realising Opportunities and Challenges’, was organised by The National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) in collaboration with The Victoria State Government, Australia.

Earlier Ismail and State of Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia institutions of higher learning and Australia’s State of Victoria’s Vocational and Education Training (VET) providers.

The strategic partnerships were signed between National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) president, Professor Elajsolan Mohan and Senior Advisor of Northern Melbourne Institute TAFE (NMIT), Mal Rowe for train-the-trainer programme in Malaysia and the signing between Universiti Tun Hussein Onn and NMIT were represented by its Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Mohd Noh Dalimin and Rowe for skills training, research and development collaboration.

Manufacturing engineering training courses between Tech Terrain College and NMIT were represented by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raja Ratnam and Rowe while GippsTAFE and Beyond Petroleum were represented by both CEOs, Peter Whitley and Nurazida Daud respectively.

The MoU aimed to strengthen Malaysia’s VET education while enhancing higher education courses through collaborations with education service providers from Victoria.

Victorian VET institutions had delivered training solutions in the South East Asia region for animal husbandry, tourism and hospitality, food and safety preparation, building and construction and more.

Source: BERNAMA, 17th June 2013

Vocational education, an attractive option

TVET & Vocational Training - Malaysian News, , ,
Way to go: Muhyiddin trying out a solar-powered car created by students from Kolej Vokasional Arau in Perlis as student Azruk Abdul Rahim, 17, looks on. – Bernama

VOCATIONAL and technical education has proven to be increasingly popular among students as it saves time and money.

Those who opt to enter a vocational college after sitting for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) will receive their diplomas after just four years of studies, as opposed to the common pathway which is to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Students pursuing vocational and technical education which is based on the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia curriculum will be exposed to practical components to strenghtened their knowledge and skills that will enhance their career prospects.

Just ask vocational student, S. Lakxessnah, 16, who said taking up the vocational school pathway was a wise decision.

The database management system student saw it as a “fast-track” to acquire tertiary qualifications.

“Instead of taking the conventional pathway (which is to sit for SPM), I will get my diploma when I am 19. It is not for weak students but for people like me who already have a clear idea on what we want to do with our future,” said the Kolej Vokasional Perdagangan Johor Baru student.

Lakxessnah was one of the students who attended the 1Malaysia Kolej Vokasional carnival in Klang recently.

The Kolej Vokasional Perdagangan Johor Baru student, came to the career carnival with her schoolmates and teachers.

The objective of the four-day carnival was to highlight the various courses available as well as the career alternatives for vocational and technical school leavers.

It is also to disseminate information of the Government’s initiatives to transform the vocational and technical education.

The Government has vowed to transform the technical education and vocational training (TEVT) sector in a move to make TEVT more appealing to students.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said there was a need to produce at least 3.3 million skilled workers in the next 10 years in order to meet the demands of the country’s economic developments.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the average enrolment of upper secondary students in technical and vocational courses in Malaysia was about 10%, compared to the average 44% enrolment of students from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.

In Germany, Finland and Austria, for example, 50% to 80% students pursued vocational education at upper secondary level or through apprenticeship.

“We received 117,000 applications to enter vocational colleges while we can acommodate up to 21,000 students. This is very encouraging and we should provide more places for those interested,” he said.

Student Nurul Ain Fatihah Mohd Hisam, 16, said society should regard vocational education as a desirable study option.

She said vocational and technical schools were a great place to discover talents.

“The Government is actively promoting such education because it is a good way to identify and groom young people who can in turn help contribute to the economy of our country,” she said.

Kolej Vokasional Klang student T. Peravin said it was time for the public to change their perception about vocational education.

“For those who think vocational and technical education is just for weak students, they should come to our college and see for themselves.

“The institution offers comprehensive education because there are both theoretical and practical components,” he added.

Source: The Star Online – 21st April 2013

COMMENT: This is a very good initiative by the current government but I hope the corrupted practice during procurement of equipments/materials by these government owned colleges/institutions can be minimised (I don’t believe it can be totally eradicated in a short span of time) by hopefully a BERSIH government!Related: where is rob mason from kvet now, derelict property for sale anglesey, 5 qualities of a good poster, purpose of life in islam in urdu, bungalows for sale whitchurch, bristol, 2022 preqin global private equity venture capital report, mike matarazzo obituary, alonzo smith, foreman, black mason building claflin prints, paul snider patti laurman, how does gmp affect my state pension, tropical desert gpp, polk county parade of homes 2022, daldowie crematorium funerals today, doit helpdesk illinois gov, cherubs tomatoes seeds,

Govt to continue providing technical, vocational training for teenagers

TVET & Vocational Training - Malaysian News
 
Source: NST Online – 18th March 2013
 

Comment: If you have the budget, you may also choose to study TVET courses at private institutions, which are often located at more strategic locations.

You may also find that some of the courses that you are interested in are not available at govt institutions.

And if Malay language is a barrier, there are some private institutions (such as this auto academy in Muar) that offers them in Mandarin and/or English.

TVET for teenagers

Malaysia’s Participation In ASC Proves Its World-Class Vocational Skills

SKM JPK, TVET & Vocational Training - Malaysian News, ,

By Sakini Mohd Said


Director-General of Skills Development Department of the Ministry of Human Resource, Dr Pang Chau Leong.

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 16 (Bernama) — Many people have the perception that industry skills are only for people who lack academic knowledge. They believe that this sector is ideal for manual labourers, including immigrant workers.

This is the mentality of the public and parents view vocational subjects as being inferior, compared to academic subjects. This is because they believe academic subjects promise white-collar employment, unlike vocational subjects which can only offer blue-collar positions.

Are skills-based courses that bad that they are only suitable for those who are not academically inclined?

The fact remains that in order to achieve the status of a developed nation by 2020, Malaysia needs knowledgeable people in skills-based industries.

Malaysia is participating in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Skills Competition (ASC) 2012 from Nov 15 to 18 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

PERCEPTION

“Those who fail to gain admission into universities are seen as failures. This thinking is wrong, as those in universities may not necessarily be successful in life.

“But those who cannot get into universities can still be successful in vocational fields,” said the Director-General of Skills Development Department of the Ministry of Human Resource, Dr Pang Chau Leong.

He said that parents should not regard industry skills as ‘second class’ and that it is only meant for failures.

Skills’ training is crucial for transforming Malaysia into a developed and a high-income country, he explained.

This is in line with the objective of increasing the per capita Gross National Income to RM48,000 by 2020, as compared to RM23,700 in 2009.

“It is not easy to change the people’s perception and that is why we are participating in the ASC to prove that Malaysians have skills of international standards.

“This way, parents will be more confident and will not see vocational courses as something for failures,” Dr Pang said.

PARADIGM SHIFT

Dr Pang said that only 28-29 percent of the Malaysians have a positive image of skilled manpower, which is lower than that of developed nations.

However, the number of jobs offered to skilled manpower through the National Key Economy Area (NKEA) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) is high.

Out of 3.3 million jobs created through the NKEA and ETP, 1.3 million jobs go to skilled manpower, which shows that people with vocational skills do have job opportunities.

Participation in ASC is a way of promoting this sector to the society, to be on par with the academic field.

“The nation’s participation is in line with the needs of the Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-10), where the government requires 33 per cent skilled workforce by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2020,” he said.

The ASC is being held at the Jakarta Convention Centre this year. It is a skills-based competition, which takes place once every two years. Every ASEAN country takes turn in being the host.

ONLY THE BEST ARE SELECTED

Introduced in 1995, the competition had been staged eight times, where Malaysia hosted the seventh edition in 2008.

This time, the nation is taking part in 22 fields and is targeting five gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals. Malaysia is represented by 44 students from public/private universities, as well as public and private skills training institutions.

Dr Pang said that those selected for the competition have been medal winners at the Malaysia Skills competition for three years, since 2010.

The candidates were also picked through IPTA/IPTS screening and the ‘Culinary Award Nestle’ competition.

“This is to ensure that participants win medals for Malaysia,” he said.

He said that cash incentives for winners at the ASC 2012 have been increased, in line with the government’s efforts to make vocational skills, the key driver of the nation’s economy.

Every gold medal winner will receive RM7,000, every silver medal winner will receive RM5,000 and every bronze medal winner will receive RM2,500. The best overall winner will get another RM1,000.

EQUIPPING YOUTHS WITH SKILLS TO BE WORLD-CLASS WORKERS

Dr Pang said that the nation’s participation in the ASC is not just limited to changing the public’s mentality with regards to the vocational sector. It is also about enhancing relations among developing nations, in equipping Malaysian youths with the relevant skills to become world-class workers.

“This competition is a way of showing recognition to youths, students and workers, who have skills in technical and vocational fields.

“We want to prove to the world that Malaysia has world-class skilled manpower,” said Dr Pang, adding that Malaysia’s participation in the ASC is key to promoting the country’s skilled manpower to international investors.”

Malaysia will also participate in the World Skills Competition 2013 in Leipzig, Germany, for seven days, from July 1, 2013.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had unveiled the ‘Road To Leipzig Gold 2013’ project last July.

Source: BERNAMA

Vocational training option for students after PMR

TVET & Vocational Training - Malaysian News, , , , ,

KAJANG: Secondary school students in selected institutions can sign up for the National Dual Training System (NDTS or SLDN in Malay) after PMR (Penilaian Menengah Rendah).“The enrolment of students in the programme is expected to reach 15,000 by next year,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassinat SM Vokasional Kajang yesterday.Previously, secondary school students who were interested in vocational training would have to wait until after their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).Muhyiddin added that the programme comprised a 70% practical component with host companies and 30% training at the educational institutions.

Currently, it is only available at three vocational institutions located here, in Sungai Buloh and Batu Pahat.

The programme will be extended to all 79 vocational colleges in stages by next year.

The SLDN, which is a collaborative programme with the Human Resources Ministry, will see courses offered in up to 53 fields.

“I believe SLDN will become a preferred choice in the future, with more multinational companies and industries taking part,” said Muhyiddin after the launch of the programme and the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Human Resources Ministry.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the initiative was in line with the 10th Malaysia Plan and was crucial if the country were to produce highly-skilled workers.

Source: The Star Online: 3rd October 2012