19-05-2025
Sabah's youths urged to prioritise TVET for brighter future
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's youths must broaden their perspectives and consider Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary choice in shaping a brighter future, not merely an alternative route, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said TVET now played a major role in driving the state's economic and social development, in line with technological transformation and current industry demands.
'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but also represents empowerment, job opportunities, and economic growth,' he said in his speech at the launch of the Sabah TVET Council (MTS), here, on Monday (May 19).
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III and state Works Minister, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Hajiji stressed that the TVET courses currently offered have been aligned with the needs of the job market and the fast-growing industrial sector, making it a stable and viable career path for young people.
'I urge the youth in the state not to hesitate to join the TVET sector. This is the time to shift perceptions and view TVET as a smart option that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators,' he said.
According to him, the launch of the Sabah TVET council reflects the state government's commitment to strengthening the technical training ecosystem, coordinating over 160 TVET institutions statewide, and ensuring graduates are truly prepared for the workforce.
He added that TVET was also seen as a key driver in the state's development goals through the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 roadmap, as well as national strategic documents such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Hajiji also touched on the current technological revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), which demands that the younger generation be equipped with new, adaptive and innovation-oriented skills.
'The job market is changing. If Sabah's youth are not prepared with relevant skills, we will fall behind. TVET is the best platform for us to build a highly skilled workforce that can drive the state's progress,' Hajiji stressed.
He said the establishment of the Sabah TVET council marks a new era in empowering youth development through structured, industry-guided training, positioning Sabah as a competitive hub for skilled labour at both national and regional levels.
Hajiji added that the council was not merely an administrative body, but a strategic platform that brings together government agencies, training institutions, industry players and other key TVET stakeholders into an organised and inclusive ecosystem.
He said the Sabah TVET council would also serve as a policy coordinator, a driver of skills training direction, and a strategic link to federal development funding applications.
'It also supports the youth empowerment and graduate employability agenda, while strengthening the recognition and certification of skills at the state level,' he added.
