Mef Moots Industry Led Tvet Training Policy

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Employers’ federations have called for industry to lead TVET programmes and greater access for B40 students. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: The employers federation has called for an industry-led policy on technical and vocational education and training to be put in place to ensure that the graduates meet the skills requirement for employment.
The current national dual training system programme calls for 70-80% of practical training to be held in the workplace with the remaining 20-30% in technical institutions.
“TVET instructors lack practical skills and experience from industry, hence there needs to be close collaboration with industrial partners, and practical training should be at the workplace,” MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman told FMT.
The dual-training system was introduced in 2005 to develop skills through a structured TVET apprenticeship scheme intertwined with industry, initially with government-linked companies.
Syed Hussain said the 2023 budget allocation of RM6.7 billion had led to improvements in technical and vocational training, but more should be done by the government this year.
“The equipment in public TVET institutions should be upgraded so that the students will be able to experience the latest equipment and machinery in TVET institutions,” he said
William Ng, president of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association, said a shortage of skilled technical staff, especially technicians and engineers, had affected many small businesses.
Ng called for more funding to improve the overall quality of TVET institutions to meet the demand for skilled labour. He said businesses prefer hiring TVET graduates over others because they are better equipped with practical knowledge.
“We also propose that the government co-fund TVET fees with selected SMEs so B40 students can pursue these courses,” he added.
He said the co-funding initiative would enable a smooth transition for B40 students from education to employment, simultaneously addressing the skilled labour shortage within SMEs. - FMT

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