LUNDU: Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) holders can now pursue higher education even if they do not possess the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), thanks to a new initiative by the government.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government, through the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has established a partnership with the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), which includes five universities.
The universities involved are Universiti Teknikal Melaka, Universiti Tun Hussien Onn, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur.
“These five universities will accept SKM graduates from levels 1, 2, and 3, which have been recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Department of Skills Development under Human Resource Ministry as equivalent to SPM.
“SKM levels 3 and 4 are considered equivalent to diplomas, and even without an SPM, graduates can still enter these five MTUN universities,” he said.
He said this when launching Centexs Commercial TVET HRD Corp Initiative and its eSports Training Hub and Certification Academy at Centexs Lundu here yesterday (Oct 5).
Ahmad Zahid added that the Ministry of Human Resources has proposed to the Cabinet the introduction of SKM levels 6, 7, and 8.
This initiative, to be implemented by the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, will further align the skills certification system with the needs of the workforce.
“What’s important now is how high TVET, through subjects like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Renewable Energy, and other emerging technologies, can meet the demands of the workforce both in Malaysia and internationally,” he added.
Zahid, who is also chairman of the National TVET Council, noted that the number of students enrolled in TVET institutions across the country has now reached 408,000.
He said the success of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is proven by the current employability rate of graduates, which has reached 94.5 per cent nationally.
“This means that out of every 100 graduates from TVET institutions, 94 have successfully secured jobs, become entrepreneurs, or pursued further studies,” he said.
He said these students spend 30 per cent of their learning time in classrooms and the remaining 70 per cent in labs or at workplaces to apply practical skills.
“This new approach in the TVET education ecosystem was inspired by advanced countries like Germany, Japan, South Korea, and China.
“To become a developed nation, Malaysia needs a skilled workforce. While economists are important, industries require skilled workers, and TVET institutions provide the solution,” he said.
