Hire Tvet Grads Or No Migrant Workers Minister Tells Plantation Sector

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 Johari Ghani says industry players must first provide proof of their efforts to hire TVET graduates if they want to employ foreign labour.
Plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani said the ministry aims to train around 250 TVET students each year for the sector.PETALING JAYA: The plantation and commodities ministry has made it compulsory for industry players to hire graduates from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes before considering migrant workers
Its minister Johari Ghani said companies must provide the ministry with proof of their efforts to hire TVET graduates before they will be allowed to employ foreign workers, Bernama reported.
“We’re currently facing a situation where many industry players are unwilling to hire graduates who have completed their training. They’re reluctant to give these students the opportunity to gain practical experience because they prefer the easier route.
“Although the government has approved the recruitment of foreign workers for the plantation sector, I will not allow it unless industry players show commitment to our local youth first,” he said at the Dialog@MPIC session in Kuala Kangsar today.
Johari said the ministry aims to train around 250 TVET students each year for the plantation sector, and these students will be placed according to the specific needs of the industry.
He stressed that companies must train these students until they become skilled and potentially future specialists in the field.
He also emphasised the need for industry players to take responsibility for mentoring and supporting young local talent.
“I want to commend Sime Darby and FGV for their strong initiatives in providing proper accommodation and decent salaries to young people who didn’t go to university.
“These youths can earn RM2,500 a month after completing a Level 3 TVET qualification. Within eight months, they can potentially earn up to RM3,500 (a month).
“We must support these students in building their careers. Some industry players still refuse to hire them, which is why I intend to enforce this prerequisite,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that the plantation sector currently relied on nearly 260,000 migrant workers.
Johari highlighted the importance of the plantation sector, noting that it forms part of the world’s third-largest export industry. Within Malaysia’s commodity sector, exports total approximately RM168 billion. - FMT

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