Elevating their skills: (From left to right) Seng, Selvakumar, Mohd Sahrul and Keithsuda checking their online course work for the new semester at Politeknik Metro Tasek Gelugor. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: In recent years, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses have been increasing in popularity as viable alternatives to traditional university education – but the stigma remains that they are aimed at those who are not so academically inclined.
In actuality, even secondary school top scorers such as Mohd Sahrul Idham Sahir, 18, are choosing the TVET path as they feel such courses offer a more hands-on approach.
“When I saw the courses being offered, I didn’t think twice and enrolled,” said Mohd Sahrul, who is pursuing a diploma in Creative Digital Technology: Video and Film Production at Politeknik Metro Tasek Gelugor.
The third of four siblings said he always loved films and aspires to become a producer when he graduates.
He said he doesn’t feel left behind after not getting into a more academic-oriented field as he thinks TVET is a new path to success.
“I don’t regret it as I know I can do well with this new set of skills,” he added.
Mohd Sahrul scored 7As in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and said he plans to follow up his diploma with a degree and pursue a career in the film industry.
For M. Selvakumar, 18, from Bukit Talang in Kuala Selangor, TVET represents not just an education, but a ticket to a brighter future.
“I feel it is important to know the importance of making choices that will secure my future and I knew from the start that enrolling in a TVET course was my best option,” he said.
Selvakumar said his parents, who work in an oil palm estate, always emphasised the value of education.
The eldest of five siblings said he secured an A and several credits in his SPM and could have taken a different path, such as working in Singapore or even becoming a food delivery rider, but chose to enrol in a polytechnic.
“I chose TVET because it’s easier to get a job and the opportunities are broader,” he added.
The first-year student said he is currently waiting for his study loan to be approved, while his father is supporting him financially in the meantime.
Selvakumar is pursuing a diploma in information technology at Politeknik Metro Tasek Gelugor and aims to ultimately own a cybersecurity business.
Keithsuda Sriphakdee, 18, a student from Kelantan who is living in Penang with her family, has a different story on how she ended up in a TVET institution.
“When I applied to continue my studies, my first option was forestry at Universiti Putra Malaysia, but my application was unsuccessful.
“Instead, I got into the polytechnic in Tasek Gelugor in its information technology diploma course,” she said.
The former SMK Permai Indah student said it did not take her long to accept the offer, since there are vast job prospects in IT.
Keithsuda said she intends to continue her studies after her diploma, particularly in cybersecurity as she wants to be a specialist in that field.
“Maybe with a degree after this I could become a police officer in the cybersecurity field, particularly in computer forensics,” she said, adding that she would love to create a website to help locate missing persons in the future.
Students with mid-level SPM results are also happy that with TVET, they still have a future.
Seng De Loong, 19, from Perak, said he thought he would not be able to continue his studies because of his mediocre SPM results.
“My SPM grades were nothing to be proud of and I was ready to work to help my family,” he said.
However, his friends introduced TVET courses to him and he found that even mediocre students like him could get a second chance.
He added that polytechnic fees were also cheaper, especially for people like him who come from lower-income families.
“My father is a single parent who works as a driver in Ipoh, so I feel this won’t burden him,” said Seng, adding that his father fully supports his decision to continue his studies.
He wants to pursue a career in photography when he graduates to earn some experience first, before furthering his studies.
