KUCHING: Politeknik Kuching Sarawak graduates have been advised to upgrade their knowledge and skills to stay relevant.
“The industry hopes and expects institutions of higher learning to fulfil its need for a workforce that is qualified, skilful and knowledgeable,” Education Service Commission Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said during the polytechnic’s 27th convocation ceremony in Matang near here yesterday.
He reiterated that graduates should not stop learning new things just because they had obtained their diplomas.
“Graduates have to keep in mind that the knowledge and skills they obtained here will most probably be outdated with time.
“That is why it is important to keep yourselves updated because the world is always progressing and moving forward,” he stressed.
It estimated that 60 per cent of the 1.5 million jobs is expected to require TVET-related qualifications under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
“To meet this need, Malaysia will have to increase students from 175,000 in 2017 to 231,000 by 2020, a 24.2 percent increment.
“This will ultimately help the country to cope with the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 that has started globally,” Khair added.
He said development plans would enhance TVET education and help the government towards a nation of technology.
“However, we are still lacking in this aspect where 80 percent of the workforce has SPM qualification while only 25 percent of the workforce in the country is highly skilled.
“Therefore, under the 11MP, the government aims to increase its skilled human capital to 35 percent by 2020,” Khair added.
