KUCHING: The state government is creating more opportunities for school leavers to engage in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as an alternative to university education, with the potential to explore job prospects in neighbouring countries like Brunei and Indonesia.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development II (Talent Development) (MEITD) Datuk Francis Harden Hollis stressed the importance of TVET in providing school leavers with specialised training to make them employable.
“We create this not only for rural schools but for all students who are unable to pursue their studies, and we believe that industries now require qualified TVET graduates,” he said during a press conference after chairing a briefing session on the 3rd BIMP–EAGA TVET Conference 2023 at Pullman Hotel here today.
“If we train more TVET graduates, Indonesia and Brunei can employ them, not only in Sarawak.”
According to him, the ongoing science centre project, coupled with the emergence of new industries, is expected to drive up demand for qualified TVET graduates.
Francis said that providing specialised training and certification to TVET graduates would help transform them into highly skilled workers who can actively contribute to the economic development of the region.
The conference, themed ‘TVET to Drive Innovation and Talent Development,’ is jointly organised by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), and the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS).
The event will take place on March 8 and 9 at the same venue and aims to create awareness about the significance of TVET for school leavers.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Opengwill officiate at the conference, which is expected to attract around 400 delegates from Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia.
The conference will feature 25 speakers and panel members who will discuss various topics related to TVET and its role in driving innovation and talent development.
MEITD deputy permanent secretary Anielia Siam, director of the economic planning unit Lester Matthew, chief commercial officer (corporate relations andbusiness development) of Sarawak Skills Mohamad Isham Fauzi and deputy executive director (education, training and student services) Zakri Md Salleh were also present.
