Strengthening TVET reforms with commission set-up
MELAKA: A proposal to set up a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) commission is being mulled, in line with the broader TVET reform agenda, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the recommendation emerged from impressive achievements under the National TVET Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, including a notable rise in student participation.
'I appreciate the council's work and as someone monitoring progress first-hand, there are proposals worth considering, among them establishing a commission for TVET.
'We shall assess how swiftly this can be implemented given current developments,' he said when launching the National TVET Day 2025 celebration.
'With the number of students and types of training increasing, I will look into whether current facilities are adequate and how to create synergy between government-linked companies, private sector players and existing TVET institutions.'
The Prime Minister also underscored TVET's pivotal role in creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting future industrial needs.
He said TVET graduates deserve a better starting salary, reflecting their skills and strong employability.
'Previously, we set the minimum wage at RM1,700. But for TVET fields with employment rates of up to 98%, such a salary is inadequate.
'We aim to increase the starting pay to RM3,000 where feasible,' he said, adding the adjustment would reflect deserved recognition by multinational and local companies.
Anwar also said an additional RM40mil has been announced for the National TVET Council, along with RM10mil in aid for Melaka's TVET entrepreneurship initiatives.
'It is crucial for students to seize this opportunity to contribute to national development.
'Unlike many of our neighbours, Malaysia is one of the few nations that provides such strong support, financial and otherwise, for TVET students,' said the Prime Minister.
The three-day National TVET Day includes nine sectoral exhibitions ranging from transportation, aerospace and electronics to agriculture, construction and services, with over 60 employers offering some 5,000 job opportunities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
31 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Zambry hopes RM5mil in federal funds will end varsity's water woes
Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said part of the sum would be used to construct an underground pipe. PETALING JAYA : The higher education ministry hopes the Sabah government will be able to resolve the water disruptions at a university in the state with the funds provided by the federal government. Its minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir, said a total of RM5 million had been set aside to resolve Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) water woes to date, Bernama reported. He said part of the sum would be used to construct an underground pipe. 'There's no issue on UMS's side, but there could be other technical issues in terms of supplying a sufficient amount of water to the main pipes connected to the university,' he was quoted as saying. In May 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government would channel RM3 million to the state government to resolve UMS's water woes. In January 2024, Zambry announced an additional allocation of RM2 million to UMS for the same purpose. Last month, Zambry's deputy, Mustapha Sakmud, blamed the water disruptions at UMS on the tube well, which he said could only supply one million litres of water daily. The campus needs five million litres a day. The Sabah water department then urged the university to enhance its water pumping system as output from the well was sufficient to meet students' daily needs. A faulty indicator was blamed for the failing pumping system.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Higher Education Ministry allocates additional RM2mil to tackle UMS water supply issue
TAWAU: The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) has allocated an additional RM2 million to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to address ongoing water supply issues affecting the campus community. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, said the additional allocation brings the total funding for the matter to RM5 million. He said the government was concerned and had taken note of the issue, with efforts already underway, including the earlier RM3 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "I have been on the ground and personally engaged with the relevant parties, including students. "I was informed that UMS required further assistance, so the ministry has approved an additional RM2 million, making the total allocation RM5 million," he told reporters after officiating the Appointment Certificate Presentation Ceremony for the Community College Advisory Committee (JPENKK) under the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department here today. Commenting further, Zambry said he understood the challenges surrounding water supply in the state. "I've offered advice and suggested that we avoid framing this as a university-specific problem. "This issue has already been addressed by the UMS Vice-Chancellor and the University Board Chairman, who clarified the actual situation. "This means that the issue is not within UMS itself but may stem from technical factors, such as the distribution channels or the volume of water that needs to be channelled through major pipelines to UMS," he said. He expressed hope that the water supply problem could be resolved through cooperation between the state and federal governments. "At the KPT level, we've done what we can to help, including the construction of underground pipes, which are now functioning properly. "I have no intention of commenting on any particular party or being drawn into a polemic. What matters most is the welfare of the students at UMS, which must remain a priority," he added.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: 13MP to narrow socio-economic gaps, boost resilience
KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is set to mark a turning point in the nation's efforts to address various economic challenges, including development and income disparities. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the challenges requiring urgent attention include development and income inequality, limited fiscal space, and the slow pace of structural economic transition. He said the key policy document will be tabled during the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting. "The country must become more resilient in facing global economic risks and uncertainties, while accelerating structural transformation and narrowing socio-economic development gaps," he said in a Facebook post. Earlier, the prime minister chaired a discussion with senior government officials on the final preparations for the 13MP, which will cover the period from 2026 to 2030. Anwar said the preparation of the document began in the middle of last year. He added that it is the result of a team effort and reflects comprehensive feedback gathered from all stakeholders on the proposed strategies and initiatives. "This is the result of teamwork and extensive input from all stakeholders, including ministries, state governments, local authorities, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the public," he said.
