Booming industry: Zulkernai says construction courses open the door to careers as construction managers, site supervisors, estimators, building inspectors and more.
PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is stepping up efforts to increase the uptake of construction-related programmes in vocational colleges nationwide.
This, said the ministry’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Division director Zulkernai Fauzi, is to address the country’s construction worker shortage.
“Steps are being taken by the ministry to enable as many Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates as possible to fill all available spots in these institutions.
“We also encourage collaboration with state education departments and district education offices through counsellors and principals to guide students in national secondary schools towards technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes and to cultivate their interest in pursuing skills, especially in the field of construction.
“That is our preparation at the ministry level,” he said, adding that the ministry is the only TVET provider that offers programmes to students after Form Three – an initiative that began this year – compared to other providers that offer them at the post-secondary level.
Zulkernai emphasised that construction careers are no longer seen as dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) as they once were.
“These jobs now involve a lot of technology in line with the country’s adoption of smart construction technology, so interest in these jobs needs to be nurtured at the school level,” he said.
He added that construction courses open the door to careers as construction managers, site supervisors, estimators, building inspectors and more.
“Construction professionals, especially those with specialised skills and experience, often earn competitive salaries,” he said.
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the 26.3% of legal foreign workers in the construction sector in Malaysia – cited in the Immigration Department statistics in October last year – would leave the industry increasingly susceptible to the regulatory and policy changes affecting foreign workforce availability, both locally and in the source countries.
“The main advice that we would give students considering their future careers is that there are opportunities for career growth and skilled employment in the construction industry.
“For example, according to TalentCorp’s Critical Occupations List 2022/2023, there are shortages of construction managers, civil engineers and construction supervisors, among others,” he said.
Master Builders Association Malaysia president Oliver HC Wee said if students acquire the necessary skills, they will be able to earn higher salaries in the long term.
“Moving forward, they can also be promoted to roles such as senior supervisors, section heads and construction managers, and can work towards better career prospects,” he said.
Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zaid Zakaria said both immediate steps and long-term strategies are needed to alleviate labour shortages and enhance workforce training and development through TVET.
Improving the status and pride of construction workers themselves can also help create a sustainable workforce capable of meeting Malaysia’s future construction demands, he said.
“The labour deficit causes delays in projects, increases costs, leads to contract disputes and reduces investor confidence, potentially slowing down overall economic growth.
“This shortage also impacts the wider construction supply chain, affecting suppliers of hardware, machinery and materials, thus intensifying economic pressures across related sectors,” he said.
On May 31, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the construction sector is a key driver of the nation’s economic growth and must reduce reliance on foreign workers.
He said adopting digital technology will not only empower local contractors but also help bridge the productivity gap, ensuring they remain competitive on the international stage.
