KUALA LANGAT: Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses are open to all regardless of academic qualifications, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister and National TVET Council chairman said those interested to pursue the field only have to possess the 3M skills (reading, writing and counting).
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He said those with excellent academic results can also pursue TVET, referring to the 11,713 students who obtained straight As in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
“They can enrol for TVET and choose to enrol at the entry level or even through Giatmara, polytechnic institutes, community colleges and more.
Youngsters spoilt for choice: Ahmad Zahid visiting the ‘Myfuture Job TVET’ register counter during a walkbout at the National TVET Day in Kuala Langat. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
“The opportunities are vast with many study options offered,” he told reporters at the Kuala Langat Industrial Training Institute yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, hopes that at least 40% of the students in the recent SPM batch will enrol in the July TVET intake.
“The courses offered are aligned with manpower needs of both international and domestic companies.
“Their employment criteria is also towards skilled workers or those with TVET qualifications,” he said.
On the almost 10,000 Form Five students who did not sit for their SPM examinations last year, Ahmad Zahid said they too could enrol for TVET courses as long as they have the 3M skills.
“The same goes for ehailing and phailing workers. We also offer upskilling and reskilling programmes for them,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said it was only right for Malaysia to follow in the footsteps of developed countries, such as Japan where TVET is the first choice for school leavers.
“The Education Ministry has also begun offering TVET training through vocational and technical colleges for those who pass their Form 3 education.
“The students will also have to go through a written and oral test to successfully enrol in TVET institutions,” he said.
He said applications can be done online at upu_tvet website.
“We will ensure all applications will have a placement,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister had a walkabout along the various booths set up in conjunction with the National TVET Day celebration.
The two-day celebration, which began yesterday, features more than 4,000 TVET courses offered through 1,345 TVET institutions from the public and private sectors.
Some 5,000 job vacancies are also up for grabs, with 3,000 offered on-site at the fair.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to attend the celebration today.
