Future-proofing: A generation skilled in STEM, AI and TVET is well-positioned to find high-quality employment. – Filepic
THE Budget 2024 allocation for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence (AI), and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), can significantly enhance the quality of education in schools and universities.
During the tabling of the budget on Oct 13, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the allocation of RM100mil for STEM education, RM20mil for AI and RM6.8bil for TVET.
TehNational Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei) secretary-general Dr Teh Choon Jin said by allocating resources to STEM, AI and TVET, the government demonstrates a significant commitment to future-proofing talent for the country.
“Investing in technology-related education and training programmes enhances the employability of the workforce.
“A generation skilled in STEM, AI and TVET is well-positioned to find high-quality employment in an increasingly tech-driven job market,” he said, adding that without a steady skilled manpower supply, investors would not be confident to invest here.
A confluence of STEM, AI and TVET-related skills, said the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), is needed if Malaysia is to become a high-tech nation by 2030, as envisioned under the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (DSTIN) 2021-2030.
Budget 2024, said the academy, is a starting point to address issues that could hamper that vision.
“More needs to be done beyond the budget and this includes creating the right ecosystem and human-centric approach to AI that is balanced and systemised with our needs and culture,” said ASM.
Prof RazaliTVET, Teh offered, plays a pivotal role in addressing skills gaps across industries.
“Funding for TVET has increased as compared with Budget 2023. By allocating resources to TVET, the government is taking concrete steps to bridge the divide between the skills jobseekers possess and the skills employers require,” he said.
Noting lower TVET enrolment here as compared with high-income countries, as students and parents here prefer academic programmes in higher education institutions, Teh said the government is rebranding TVET as a preferred pathway for post-secondary education.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education lecturer Prof Dr Razali Hassan views the second Madani budget as an effort to overhaul the national TVET education system through collaborations with government-linked companies (GLCs) and private companies.
As of Oct 5, 17 GLCs and 44 private companies had signed 61 memorandums of understanding to develop the curriculum and to contribute equipment and expertise, he said.
“I see that the government is serious in tackling the issue of skilled workers. Various methods have been introduced to ensure the success of the implementation.
“However, the disbursement and implementation of the budget must be strictly monitored with greater integrity to prevent leakage,” he added.
According to ASM, the Malaysia National AI Roadmap 2021-2025 (AI-RMAP) targets 200,000 AI talents by 2025, while the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) targets 86.7% of higher education institutions and public TVET graduate employability.
The government, it suggested, should increase the supply of advanced TVET talent pool, such as technicians, machinists and technologists, who are critical to the industry workforce structure as these positions assist the professionals and management level executives.
This can be achieved by giving recognition, and promoting advanced TVET courses for skills in in-demand technology areas through TVET training institution models that are industry-led, so that high-tech companies can provide the curriculum direction, and opportunities to TVET graduates upon completion of their courses, said ASM.
