KEPALA BATAS: There should not be any red tape in carrying out the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Any companies willing to take the initiative to train students, whether it be partially or completely, are welcomed.
"The Cabinet has decided that there should not be administrative barriers," he said at a community discussion session on TVET at Bertam Square here on Sunday (July 16).
The event is part of a three-day TVET expo organised by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry which will end on Sunday (July 16).
Anwar said the goal was to ensure fresh TVET graduates get to earn between RM2,500 and RM3,000.
He said while they earn more than RM1,500, it was still in the salary range of RM1,800 and RM2,000, and it wasn’t enough.
"They should be earning more and with training at the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), we target it to be between RM2,500 and RM3,000.
"Their pay should be higher than what fresh graduates earn.
"I have seen the initiatives done by PSDC to bring in companies to offer training and then employment," he said.
Anwar said places like PETRONAS offer a higher pay.
"One must not look down on skill training as TVET is now given the same respect and is on par with academic education.
"We are moving away from conventional education.
"While academic education is still important, TVET is relevant to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0)," he said.
Anwar was responding to various questions posed by the crowd at the event.
He said the advancement of TVET needs to start with the educators.
"We need to train more lecturers for the TVET programmes.
"We are working with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) to have special training programmes.
"We hope to increase funds (for UniKL) to increase their training programmes for educators," he said.
When quizzed by a parent on how to get his child involved in TVET and if pursuing it after SPM would be a good idea, Anwar said there is interest in TVET as there are many students currently being trained.
"The Industrial Revolution 4.0 and digital technology advancements are all pointing in the direction of TVET.
"We just need to enhance our quality of training and raise the minimum pay offered to graduates.
"They will definitely show interest in the training.
"The industry trains them, gives them the certification and then absorbs them into companies," he said.
