Latest news with #TechnicalandVocationalEducation
Arabian Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Katsina Advances in National Skills Drive with 3,500 Training Slots
Katsina State has secured 3,500 positions in the federal government's Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme, marking a significant step in Nigeria's efforts to equip its youth with practical, job-ready skills. The allocation is part of a broader initiative by the Federal Ministry of Education, which has launched a nationwide TVET programme aimed at enhancing industry-relevant skill development across the country. The programme invites Skill Training Centres , Vocational Enterprise Institutions , and Mastercraft Persons to register for accreditation, enabling them to access government funding for training candidates. In Katsina, the state government has actively encouraged students in higher institutions to acquire vocational skills alongside their academic pursuits. Isah Musa, the State Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, emphasized the importance of self-reliance and practical skills during a press conference highlighting the state's achievements in education. ADVERTISEMENT The federal government's commitment to vocational training is further evidenced by the approval of ₦120 billion to advance the TVET agenda. This funding aims to empower at least 650,000 youths with technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years. Incentives such as monthly stipends, starter packs, and take-off grants are being introduced to attract young Nigerians to vocational training programmes. The National Directorate of Employment has announced plans to train 3,650 residents of Katsina State in various skills under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative. This programme targets individuals from diverse backgrounds, including school leavers, women, tertiary graduates, retirees, and persons with disabilities, providing training in vocational skills development, small-scale enterprises, rural employment promotion, special public works, and ICT and digital skills. The federal government's focus on practical learning is evident in the restructuring of the TVET curriculum, with 80% now dedicated to hands-on training and only 20% to theoretical learning. This shift aims to align Nigeria's education system with the needs of its youthful population, 70% of which is under the age of 30.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia looking to strengthen cooperation with UK in strategic sectors, says Zahid
LONDON: Malaysia is looking to strengthen its bilateral cooperation with the United Kingdom in several strategic sectors, following a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed. In discussing closer bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the UK, Ahmad Zahid said he expressed the Malaysia's commitment to becoming the Asean Hub for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Certification and Excellence. "The focus will be on high-value industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles (EV), aerospace, and green energy. "I also conveyed Malaysia's intention to expand collaboration with UK academic institutions and industries to enhance TVET training, certification, and the employability of Malaysian graduates," he told reporters during his working visit to Britain on Monday (June 2). On rural development, Ahmad Zahid said the country is keen to learn from the UK's approach in transforming rural areas into sustainable economic growth zones. "We also discussed matters related to disaster management, access to clean water, and the use of new technologies to strengthen resilience against global climate change," he said. Several issues concerning the environment were also discussed especially on ways to overcome the problem of polluted rivers. "Malaysia needs to learn how the UK dealt with rehabilitating polluted rivers. "We need to take heed of how polluted rivers have become a thing of the past in the UK as we are still facing the same problem. "The first step to learning from them is to raise public awareness of the problem with polluted rivers," he said. The meeting also touched on renewable energy cooperation, including the proposal to reactivate the Asean Power Grid and explore investment opportunities in solar and green energy, he said. "The UK's establishment of GB Energy, a national clean energy company, was noted as a positive signal of its strong commitment to the green agenda. "I expressed Malaysia's readiness to be a strategic partner in this development," he said In addition, Ahmad Zahid said he also highlighted the potential of Islamic financial instruments such as sukuk to support climate finance and sustainable development cooperation. "This includes bolstering the global halal industry through the establishment of a World Halal Council and a unified halal logo, which aims to reinforce international consumer confidence in Malaysia's standards," he added. Ahmad Zahid said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade ties, including through frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and increasing business-to-business (B2B) engagement between the private sectors of both nations. "I believe this meeting has opened new avenues to elevate Malaysia–UK cooperation to a more strategic level, especially in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future," he said. Ahmad Zahid also hosted a special gathering on Monday night with approximately 101 Malaysians, including 60 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) sponsored students based in the UK, reinforcing the government's engagement with the diaspora community. He reminded the students to never forget to give back to the country once they have finished their studies. "While the salaries here (UK) might be substantially higher, returning and helping to develop the country further is priceless and much more meaningful. "We must instil in the Mara students the spirit of togetherness," he said.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos, Switzerland team up to improve vocational education curriculum
Switzerland supports young people in Laos in receiving a good education and participating in the labor market. - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation VIENTIANE: Vocational education experts from Laos and Switzerland have joined forces to strengthen curriculum development for Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and enterprises in Laos. The Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports on Monday (May 19) hosted a capacity building workshop for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions and enterprises on curriculum development under the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative. The workshop on curriculum development for work-based learning brought together participants from the government and private sectors and featured lecturers from the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training. Presentations centred on enhancing skills in curriculum design in four priority sectors: Inventory Management, Customer Service, Machine Tools, and Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Repair. The Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative aims to strengthen vocational education through industry-aligned training programmes. Under the Initiative, Asean and Switzerland will support Laos and Cambodia to strengthen their technical and vocational training systems with a focus on workplace-based learning in companies. Participants gained practical insights into the development of work-based learning curricula, ensuring workforce readiness and industry relevance. The event was seen as a milestone in advancing technical and vocational education training excellence in Laos. The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Director General of the ministry's Technical and Vocational Education Department, Tingkham Soulintha, and member of the Board of Directors of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Viboon Sithimolada. In 2024, the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a project to improve job opportunities for unemployed young people and low-skilled workers in Laos, funded by the Swiss government. Under the MOU, at least 1,000 Lao people are expected to be given access to vocational training and work at businesses across the country. Priority training fields include transportation and goods warehousing services, the retail trade, mechanics, and air-conditioning installation and repair. The goal of the project is to provide knowledge and skills for young people who are unemployed, especially those with little education after leaving school at a young age, as well as low-skilled workers, so they learn skills that are relevant to today's job market. - Vientiane Times/ANN
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
National Labour Market Still Robust In Q1 2025, With 17.23 Million Workforce
PUTRAJAYA, May 23 (Bernama) -- The national labour market remained robust in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025) with a 7.23 million labour force and a stable 3.1 per cent unemployment rate, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the positive performance was supported by continued improvements in employment and a decline in unemployment. The labour force grew by 458,700 persons to 17.23 million persons compared to 16.77 million persons in Q1 2024, driven by a 3.0 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in employed persons to 16.70 million. 'The labour force participation rate rose to 70.7 per cent (Q1 2024: 70.5 per cent), while the number of unemployed persons declined to 526,300, with the unemployment rate remaining stable at 3.1 per cent,' he said in a statement today. In addressing the underemployment situation, he noted that sustained employment growth in Q1 2025 led to a notable decline in underemployment indicators. 'The number of persons working less than 30 hours per week decreased by 11.1 per cent y-o-y to 242,700 persons. 'Time-related underemployment also registered a decline of 9.2 per cent, totalling 146,900 persons, with the rate of 1.5 per cent,' he said. He also said Malaysia's labour market in Q1 2025 was adapting to the growing challenges of Industry 4.0. 'To meet the rising need for digital expertise, the government has committed to an initiative of RM20 million to train 5,000 Malaysians in key tech sectors and strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes with internationally recognised certifications,' he added.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sabah youths urged to choose TVET as primary option, not an alternative
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on the youth in the state to open their minds and view Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary pathway to building a bright future, rather than merely an alternative route. He said TVET now plays a significant role in the state's economic and social development, in line with technological transformation and current industrial needs. 'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but it is also synonymous with empowerment, employment opportunities, and economic growth,' he said in his speech for the Launch Ceremony of the Sabah TVET Council (MTS) here today. The text of his speech was read out by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. Hajiji said the TVET courses currently offered have been tailored to the needs of the job market and the rapidly developing industrial sector, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. 'I urge the youth of this state not to hesitate in joining the TVET field. Now is the time to shift perceptions and see TVET as a smart choice that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators,' he said. According to him, the Sabah TVET Council launched today is the Sabah government's commitment to strengthening the technical training ecosystem, coordinating over 160 TVET institutions across the state, and ensuring that every graduate produced is truly ready to face the challenges of the working world. He said TVET is also seen as a key driver for the state's development goals through the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Development Blueprint and strategic national 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 wave of technological revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), which requires the younger generation to be equipped with new, adaptive, and innovation-oriented skills. 'The job landscape is changing. If Sabah's youth are not prepared with relevant skills, we will be left behind. TVET is the best platform for us to develop a highly skilled workforce that will drive the state's progress,' he stressed.
