92,102 gained in Technical and Vocational Education and Training funding
Published on: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
By: Crystal E Hermenegildus
.jpg "92,102 gained in Technical and Vocational Education and Training funding")
Zahir said Malaysia currently has approximately 27 per cent of its workforce categorised as highly skilled, with a target to increase this percentage to 35 per cent by 2030.
Kota Kinabalu: The Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) plays a pivotal role as the primary financier in producing TVET graduates within the hospitality, plantation, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Chairman of PTPK’s Board of Directors, Ts. Zahir Hassan, said under the 12th Malaysia Plan, spanning from 2021 to 31 July 2024, PTPK had approved funding for a total of 92,102 individuals, with allocations amounting to RM1.48 billion.
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Out of this total, 13,124 individuals — representing 14 per cent — have been approved for financing, amounting to RM197.65 million, specifically within the hospitality, plantation, agriculture and tourism sectors.
The courses and programmes implemented under these sectors include Food & Beverage Service Operations, Pastry Making, Culinary Arts Operations, Food Preparation and Production, Regional Special Tourist Guiding, Scuba Diving Operations, Umrah and Pilgrimage Mutawwif Management, Plant Production Operations, and Supervision & Palm Oil Planting Operations.
“PTPK, as the main financier of skills training in the country, will continue to strengthen Malaysia’s human capital development agenda.
“We are committed to reinforcing Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) by providing funding to encourage the community to pursue these skills,” Zahir said at a press conference following his speech at the TVET Carnival Tour at the Sabah Skills and Technology Centre (SSTC).
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Zahir said TVET tour programme is a continuation of the first series, which was previously held in Melaka on July 29.
This initiative by PTPK aims to gather direct feedback from training providers in Sabah and Sarawak through an exclusive dialogue session.
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Zahir said Malaysia currently has approximately 27 per cent of its workforce categorised as highly skilled, with a target to increase this percentage to 35 per cent by 2030.
However, he said even reaching this 35 per cent target would not suffice to meet the country’s development needs which are estimated to require between 75 per cent and 80 per cent of skilled workers.
The rapid development of industries necessitates a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce in various aspects of technology and modern skills to ensure industry efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.
Zahir stressed the importance of upskilling and reskilling for Malaysians, warning that by 2030, as many as 4.5 million workers could lose their jobs if proactive measures are not taken to address this issue.
“As technology continues to advance, the skills required for jobs will also evolve. Employees who do not adapt to these changes risk losing their employment.
“Therefore, close cooperation between the government, training providers and the community is essential to achieve these targets,” he said
Zahir said that TVET education should not be perceived as a second-class option compared to the academic track.
“In developed countries, vocational skills and academic education progress hand-in-hand and are regarded as equally valuable.
“In Malaysia, TVET is expected to be on par with the academic pathway, becoming an equally important choice for students.
The skills training funding schemes managed by PTPK, including the Perkasa TVET Fund 2021, Perkasa TVET Fund 2022, and the ID-TAP Fund, demonstrate PTPK’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the country’s skilled workforce.
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