Zahid proposes Asean task force for green, digital skills development

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed the formation of an Asean Green and Digital Skills Task Force to unite member states in developing an inclusive, future-ready workforce capable of leading the global Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) industry.
He said the task force could be established by building on the momentum of the ongoing Asean TVET Conference 2025, serving as a platform for concrete actions, measurable targets, and mutual support to nurture the talent the region needs.
"This is how Asean will shape a workforce that is inclusive, future-ready, and poised to lead the global TVET industry," he said when opening the two-day conference at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre today.
He added that discussions at the conference must lead to tangible outcomes, rather than remain mere dialogue.
"At this conference, I see there will be discussions on skills mismatch, the rising demand for digital and green talent, and the drive for innovation.
"I have instructed my officers to capture these insights because I will not allow this to be mere dialogue.
"It must spark policies that meet market needs, open opportunities for all, make employers true partners, and fast-track cutting-edge learning," he said.
Zahid, who chairs the National TVET Council, also renewed calls for a regional skills recognition framework to ensure that TVET graduates from any Asean country have their qualifications recognised across the bloc, creating a single labour market for skilled workers.
He said such a framework would open more employment opportunities, address skills shortages, and strengthen economic integration.
Highlighting Malaysia's own approach, Zahid said the country's TVET transformation was anchored on three guiding pillars: integrating the efforts of 12 ministries under one vision to eliminate silos and duplication, aligning skills training with market needs, and ensuring inclusivity so that no community, however remote, is left behind.
"These pillars form the backbone of the National TVET Policy 2030, a clear roadmap for transformation," he said.
In June, Zahid had said that Malaysia was forging strategic partnerships with international educational institutions and industry players, including those from the United Kingdom, to develop a regionally recognised certification and a centre of excellence for TVET.
This initiative is part of the government's goal not only to produce skilled workers, but also to make Malaysia a recognised reference centre for TVET training and certification in Asean.
As for the conference today, the event is jointly organised by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Skills Development Fund Corporation, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Asean.
Held under the banner of the Asean Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, ATVET 2025 brings together policymakers, industry leaders, TVET institutions and international organisations to address issues, share best practices and explore strategies for advancing technical and vocational education and training.
With more than 1,000 delegates, including government representatives, industry professionals, academics and the public, the conference serves as a platform for dialogue that drives action, supporting Asean's workforce transformation goals and sustainable economic growth.
Harnessing green skills is among the conference's priorities, with a session on "Green Platform: Driving Asean's Digital and Green Transformation."