Malaysia has secured 2,500 new placements for Malaysians to undergo technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes in China next year, marking another milestone in the country’s push to strengthen its skilled workforce.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the new placements follow the success of last year’s intake, which saw 5,125 Malaysian youths trained in China’s top institutions and industries under short-term programmes lasting one to six months.
“The employability rate of Malaysian TVET graduates trained in China is 100%, with many absorbed by Chinese companies investing in Malaysia,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister and National TVET Council chairman, at the 2nd Malaysia-China International Industry-TVET Education Cooperation Forum.
The collaboration includes the launch of the Guangqi Institute, a new joint training hub focused on semiconductors and advanced electronics, expected to train 500 participants under a RM10 million programme.
Additionally, the SIYUAN Skill Advancement and Employment Programme will send 2,500 skilled youths for “Train and Place” courses in China worth RM12.5 million, targeting transit rail, e-commerce, logistics and cybersecurity, with opportunities for job placements in Chinese firms operating locally.
Meanwhile, to strengthen long-term cooperation, Ahmad Zahid said the Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance was also launched to promote a “Train-Intern-Job Placement” model co-funded by RM10 million in training equipment from 15 Chinese institutions.
Ahmad Zahid further announced that Malaysia’s BELIA MAHIR association will partner with the China Global Professional and Technical Certification Centre to offer dual certification for Malaysian trainers under Chinese industry standards, targeting 2,000 certified skilled workers by 2026.
“These efforts will ensure Malaysia-China partnerships continue to make a meaningful impact on our human capital development,” Ahmad Zahid said, adding that the initiatives will help reduce dependence on foreign labour within 15 years.
