The involvement of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), as well as private companies, in training Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainees can strengthen TVET learning through industry expertise sharing.
Polytechnic and Community College Education Department, Director-Genera, Dr. Mohd Zahari Ismail, said the department’s collaboration with several GLCs, GLICs, and private companies has proven to significantly contribute to the development of TVET in various aspects.
He said that this includes curriculum and program development and enhancement, sponsorship or financing, knowledge and technology transfer, industrial training opportunities for students and lecturers, as well as meaningful job offers.
“Examples of GLCs involved include Telekom Malaysia, which invested RM3.5 million to upgrade TVET and provide scholarships for B40 students. Maybank also entrusted nine instructors or lecturers to participate in the first-ever engagement program in the banking industry,” he told a local media.
Zahari also mentioned that 81 polytechnic students were given the opportunity to undergo industrial training in several countries including Hungary, Qatar, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Kingdom through collaborations with various GLICs.
“Through exposure to international work, students have the opportunity to gain more open experiences and are offered jobs with progressive or premium salaries,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his speech at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress in Putrajaya on Saturday, said that 100,000 Bumiputera TVET trainees will be produced with a minimum monthly salary target of RM3,000.
Anwar said GLCs, GLICs, and private companies, including those owned by the Chinese and Indian communities, will also be involved in the initiative to train TVET trainees, the majority of whom are Bumiputeras.
Zahari also mentioned that various initiatives are being implemented at the Polytechnic and Community College (POLYCC) level to produce skilled workers, including the Structured Industrial Training Program (LIB). However, only 25 industry partners are involved in the program compared to 14,790 for the general industrial training program.
He said the employability rate of POLYCC graduates for 2023 was over 95 percent, thus consistent engagement with the industry is needed to ensure that graduates meet industry needs and remain relevant to current technological changes.
According to Mohamad Yaacob, Chairman of the National TVET Development Association, GLCs, GLICs, and private companies can be involved in designing TVET learning modules by incorporating training in the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 Revolution, and electric vehicles.
He said new job fields emerging from technological developments require training and skills enhancement to ensure higher wages.
“These changes can be made even to labor-intensive industries and can subsequently replace foreign workers,” he said.
Mohamad also said the Prime Minister’s announcement came at the right time as technological developments at this time require active involvement of GLCs, GLICs, and private companies in helping to elevate TVET training so that it is no longer seen as second-class learning.
