More than 98% of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates from Malaysia’s polytechnics and community colleges have secured employment, underscoring the strong demand for skilled workers across key industries.
Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education senior director (Academic) Dr Mohd Daud Isa said the employability rate for graduates from the institutions has consistently remained above 95% annually since TVET was identified as a national workforce development priority.
“Since TVET was identified as one of the key areas in the development of the country’s workforce, the employability rate of polytechnic and community college graduates has consistently exceeded 95 per cent each year.
“This achievement shows that TVET graduates from the country’s polytechnics and community colleges possess the skills and competencies required by the industry,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 6th National Conference of TVET Bachelor’s Degree Students (NCTS 2026) at Politeknik Ungku Omar today.
He said the hospitality, culinary, engineering and manufacturing sectors continue to offer the strongest employment opportunities for graduates.
Mohd Daud added that many students also secured employment offers during their Work-Based Learning placements due to early exposure to industry.
He said the encouraging employability figures have also contributed to rising enrolment at polytechnics and community colleges, reflecting growing confidence in TVET as a pathway to stable careers.
On the conference, he said 167 research papers were presented by undergraduate students from the country’s four polytechnics offering bachelor’s degree programmes, showcasing innovation-driven projects and practical solutions to industry challenges.
“Conferences such as NCTS provide students with a platform to showcase their research and innovations while developing the critical, analytical and creative thinking skills required by today’s industries,” he said.
He added that many of the projects have the potential to be commercialised through collaboration with industry partners, creating broader benefits for the economy and society.
