KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has reaffirmed its full support for strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) ecosystem to equip Sabah’s youths with job-ready skills.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the formation of the Sabah Tvet Council in May marked a major shift in the state’s approach to developing a skilled workforce.
In a speech read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam when officiating the Sabah Tvet Symposium here on Wednesday, he stressed that Tvet should be embraced as a mainstream education pathway and not merely a secondary option.
Hajiji said Sabah’s diverse economic sectors - ranging from oil and gas to tourism and agriculture - require a skilled workforce to sustain growth and competitiveness.
He called on youths to seize Tvet opportunities, which now offer courses aligned with industry needs and advancements in automation, AI, and digital technologies.
The Chief Minister noted that Sabah’s unemployment rate fell from 8.2 per cent in 2021 to 7.5 per cent in 2023, reflecting the positive impact of ongoing state initiatives.
However, he highlighted that 58.6 per cent of Sabah’s unemployed are aged 15-24, underlining the need for continued efforts in youth-focused skills training and education.
