Sagah: TVET key to Malaysia's skilled workforce, economic growth
BINTULU (Aug 10): Conventional academic pathways alone are no longer sufficient to meet the nation's future demand, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
The state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister noted that the country is currently undergoing a critical phase of national development, where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become one of the main pillars for producing highly skilled talent.
'Early exposure for school students through programmes such as this roadshow is crucial to spark their interest, build confidence, and prepare them for TVET pathways,' he said in his speech at the Career Carnival and UP_TVET roadshow with the Bintulu School Community at the Advanced Technology College (Adtec) Bintulu campus yesterday.
His his speech was read by the Meitd permanent secretary Adana Jed.
According to Sagah, studies have shown that TVET not only improves graduate employability but also offers stable career prospects and competitive incomes.
He added that TVET graduates now have opportunities to pursue further studies up to diploma and degree levels in strategic sectors such as automotive, electrical, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and oil and gas technology.
Sagah emphasised that TVET is a key driver of Malaysia's economic growth, producing competent, innovative citizens capable of competing globally.
'In Sarawak, TVET plays a critical role in achieving the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, with a focus on high-impact sectors like renewable energy, digitalisation, and the oil and gas industry,' he said.
The programme, organised by Adtec Bintulu under the Department of Manpower (JTM) with the Department of Skills Development, Social Security Ogganisation (Socso) and various partners, aimed to strengthen ties between schools, training institutions, government agencies, industries, and the community.
Highlights of the three-day programme included AnimalBot competition, TVET awareness talks, Skills Exhibition by agencies under the Ministry of Human Resources, Career Carnival with walk-in interviews through the MyFutureJobs platform and Try-A-Skill sessions at six Adtec training workshops (Electrical Power, Mechatronics, HVAC, Automotive, Welding, and Oil & Gas Pipefitting).
These activities, Sagah said, reflect the ministry's vision of building an inclusive, responsive, and competitive TVET ecosystem where students, youth, jobseekers, and industry players interact within the same platform.
The programme also featured industry collaborations with partners including Instep, Mutiara Technology Centre Sdn Bhd, TMR Technologies Sdn Bhd, Serimax Welding Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and the Sarawak Oil and Gas Workers Association (Sogwa), alongside agencies such as Mara Skills Institute Bintulu and local education offices.
Also present at the event were Department of Manpower director-general Datuk Rospiagos Taha, Adtec Bintulu campus director Syahrull Nizam Perdan and Sarawak Regional Skills Development Department director Donny Sadin Kachon.
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