Latest news with #Napei
The Star
10-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Revving up TVET talent
WHILE technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is presented as a central pillar of national development in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) (see infographic), systemic reform and lasting progress can only happen with the support of industries, institutions, parents and communities, stakeholders say. Funding Among the key 13MP highlights is the introduction of the Perkasa TVET Madani Financing Scheme and TVET Training Fund aimed at encouraging youth participation. National Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei) deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said the effectiveness of the financing scheme and training fund will depend on ecosystem-wide reforms. Teh While the schemes are commendable and necessary, he said they should be seen as entry points, not solutions in isolation. 'Its reforms would have to include image-building, quality assurance, stronger employer involvement and meaningful post-training outcomes. 'Only then can these financial tools become true enablers of a thriving and competitive TVET ecosystem,' he said. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin, in an op ed to StarEdu, said the TVET Training Fund is closely intertwined with strategic industry collaboration. 'This ensures participants no longer follow generic training with no added value, but are provided with skills that are relevant to current market needs – such as electric vehicles (EV), automation, renewable energy, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). Prof Massila 'All this time, rural youth have been held back from participating in TVET programmes due to constraints related to cost, location and job opportunities. 'The 13MP breaks these barriers by offering comprehensive financial support that enables B40 and M40 youths to pursue education without heavy financial burdens,' she said, adding that continuous support from all stakeholders will elevate the TVET ecosystem to new levels of excellence. Tahfiz inclusion Describing the move to extend TVET programmes to tahfiz students as 'bold and meaningful', Teh, however, stressed the need for striking the right balance between religious learning and technical training. 'The curriculum needs to be thoughtfully designed so that both are delivered with quality,' he said. Prof Massila said the approach empowers tahfiz students to become self-reliant, pursue entrepreneurship, and contribute meaningfully to the economy. 'The public perception of tahfiz institutions will shift from solely religious centres to hubs for holistic talent development – balancing spiritual and technical excellence,' she said. New expertise Prof Dr Razali Hassan from the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education said the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Levels 6, 7 and 8 under the 13MP must focus on providing workers with high cognitive abilities and strong 21st-century and Fourth Industrial Revolution skills. 'These can be considered 'master skills' and should reflect advanced capabilities,' he said. Prof Razali He also said SKM Levels 6 to 8 should be carefully managed under a single pathway to avoid confusion, as having both the Department of Skills Development (JPK) and the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) oversee higher-level TVET could complicate their implementation. Expanding on this, Teh said SKM Levels 6 to 8 represent a big step towards putting vocational education on equal footing with academic pathways. 'By aligning these levels with diploma and degree standards, it helps change how employers and universities view TVET graduates, not just as hands-on workers, but as skilled professionals with real expertise. 'This could lead to better job opportunities, fairer pay and even open doors for further studies,' he said, adding that most importantly, it sends a strong message that choosing TVET is not a backup plan, but a smart and respected path forward. High-growth, high-value (HGHV) Prof Massila said this restructuring equips the country's strategic sectors with a highly skilled workforce capable of filling critical positions worth billions of ringgit. It is not just about training the youth, but also about raising the country's economic resilience and increasing industrial productivity, she said. This, in turn, creates premium jobs with higher salaries – thus raising the standard of living of the people. The move also attracts high-quality investment. International investors want to see a competent workforce before investing, and TVET HGHV provides that guarantee, she added. Better wages Prof Razali welcomed the extension of minimum wage protection to TVET graduates and semi-skilled workers, under MASCO Code 8 and above, calling it a necessary step. 'To meet occupational standards, these workers undergo formal training that incurs cost. It's only fair they are compensated accordingly,' he said. Echoing this view, Pertubuhan Penggerak Huffaz Berkemahiran Selangor chairman Datuk Ahmad Tajudin Jab said TVET graduates should be entitled to a minimum wage to ensure they can perform their duties in line with occupational standards. Ahmad Tajudin He explained that achieving such standards requires formal education and training, which involves significant costs. Teh, however, cautioned that while extending minimum wage protection is a good start, it is not sufficient on its own to fully reflect the skills and qualifications of TVET graduates and semi-skilled workers. 'While it helps set a basic floor and prevents exploitation, minimum wage doesn't recognise the added value and technical expertise many TVET graduates bring to the table. 'What's needed is a clear skills-based wage structure, one that rewards experience, specialisation and certification levels. 'Without this, there's a risk that skilled workers will still feel undervalued and that could discourage more youth from choosing TVET,' he said. He added that to make the system fairer and more attractive, wage policies must go beyond the minimum and reflect the real worth of technical talent in the job market. Inclusive, ethical reform The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) underscores the need for holistic human capital development, a strengthened higher education system, and the integration of Madani values to build a competitive, progressive, and inclusive nation, says the Higher Education Ministry. Initiatives outlined in the plan involve the empowerment of TVET, digitalisation of learning, internationalisation of universities, and the advancement of high-impact research, said the ministry in a statement on July 31. It added that these reforms aim to future-proof the education landscape and align national development with global trends. 'As the main leader in driving the country's higher education agenda, the ministry is committed to playing a comprehensive role in achieving the goals of the 13MP. 'The ministry will intensify efforts across areas, including strengthening governance, rationalising the functions and roles of educational institutions, improving educational outcomes, enhancing educator competence and efficiency, boosting investment in education, empowering lifelong learning, and strengthening the TVET ecosystem. 'In line with the thrust of Malaysia Madani, the ministry will continue to implement policies and initiatives anchored in noble values and driven by the needs of the people,' the statement read. The ministry also emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in making the 13MP a success. 'The real and lasting progress we envision cannot rest on the government alone. 'We call on all stakeholders, higher education institutions, agencies, industries and the community, to join us in this shared mission,' it said. Prof Whitford The 13MP and the National AI Action Plan 2030 are a forward-looking vision for education and talent development. These blueprints signal a decisive move towards nurturing ethical, digitally fluent and globally competitive Malaysians. The 13MP is not just a plan for national development; it's a roadmap for reshaping the human capital landscape of Malaysia. We applaud its emphasis on character, AI literacy, digital skills and entrepreneurship. The government's commitment to paid, compulsory internships and new metrics for graduate outcomes directly supports UoC's initiatives to strengthen real-world readiness. UoC also supports the 13MP's proposed pilot autonomy for universities, recognising this as a critical step towards greater innovation, agility and accountability in higher education. The varsity is prepared to work closely with both public and private stakeholders to ensure high-impact research, academic excellence and internationalisation remain core to Malaysia's tertiary education future. --University of Cyberjaya (UoC) vice-chancellor Prof David Whitford The 13MP represents more than just a planning document. The government is continuing to strengthen its strategies to tackle three national challenges: labour productivity, youth unemployment and skills mismatch. The emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility under the 13MP marks a significant turning point for rural students and marginalised communities. Our hope is that no young person is left behind from the opportunity to build a future through TVET, and that TVET graduates are equipped with the right skills, and that they fill critical workforce gaps to power Malaysia's economy to greater heights. --UTeM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin The success of the TVET initiatives rests on the government's ability to address the needs of students, particularly at the upper secondary level. Students at this level are divided into two broad categories: the academically inclined (40%) and non-academically inclined (60%). TVET should be provided for the 60% at the Form Four level as this group often struggles academically and may only achieve average Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results. By the time TVET is offered post-SPM, many are no longer interested and prefer to start working, making existing schemes less effective. --Pertubuhan Penggerak Huffaz Berkemahiran Selangor chairman Datuk Ahmad Tajudin Jab
The Star
06-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Students warned of fake course offers
PETALING JAYA: SPM school leavers have been advised to be wary of unsolicited WhatsApp and SMS texts offering various courses and attractive incentives to be enrolled in some colleges and private institutions of higher learning. It is crucial to check the legitimacy of such 'offers' before making any decision to enrol to avoid ending up in debt due to high fees and other costs imposed by the operators. Despite regulations governing the promotion of courses offered by private higher education institutions, enforcing them remained a significant challenge, according to the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei). Deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said while most reputable institutions adhere to the rules, some unscrupulous operators continue to promote unaccredited programmes via social media and messaging apps. ALSO READ: Cautious response to scholarship offers 'These misleading promotions not only deceive students but tarnish the reputation of the entire private education sector,' he said. Teh urged parents to scrutinise any claims made by these operators and to particularly get accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). He said fraudulent advertisements are being promoted on the social media and they often misuse the names of reputable institutions, misleading students into thinking they are enrolling in accredited programmes. (Click To Enlarge) To protect students, Teh called for greater vigilance and collaboration with the authorities. 'The most important step is to verify whether the courses and institutions are accredited,' he said. Teh also highlighted that Napei members faced significant challenges due to fraudulent advertisements and scams, especially those proliferated through social media and messaging platforms. 'These deceptive ads often misuse the names, logos, or branding of reputable institutions to appear legitimate, misleading students into believing they are enrolling into recognised programmes,' he explained. The presence of such scams in the ecosystem creates confusion and distrust among students and parents,' he added. Uniten vice-chancellor Prof Dr Khairul Salleh Mohamed Sahari said students and parents could verify a programme's accreditation status via the Malaysian Qualifications Register or the Provisional Accreditation list on the MQA website. For overseas programmes, the former MQA deputy CEO (quality assurance) said recognition status could be checked through the e-SISRAF system or by contacting the MQA. 'When a student enrols in an unaccredited programme, he or she will not be able to apply for any scholarships or financial assistance from major providers such as the Public Service Department, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and National Higher Education Fund Corporation or PTPTN. 'Upon graduation, he or she will not be able to join the public service and may be rejected by companies that strictly assess the quality of the programme,' he said. Some institutions, he said, also misused the MQA logo in advertisements for non-accredited programmes. He warned that such actions are offences under Act 679 and could lead to fines or imprisonment if convicted. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon acknowledged that the issue had persisted for years, with many students falling victim. Some colleges, he said, entice students with special offers, only for them to end up in debt due to high fees imposed and other costs. 'There are also third parties acting as agents who exploit the situation to earn commissions by charging exorbitant processing fees,' he added. Fouzi also advised parents to verify an institution's qualification certificates and ensure that their MQA accreditation is still valid. 'Even if there is a certificate, the validity date of the accreditation certificate by the MQA needs to be verified,' he said. He also called on the MQA to promote evaluation steps more actively and strengthen student data protection.
