KUCHING: The Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) system is seen as an agent of change that is able to increase the competitiveness of the local workforce and the country’s economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said TVET graduates were very important assets as they would be the backbone in driving the country towards a high-income and developed nation.
“TVET, that is based on learning and training, including exposing the use of technology, will produce skilled workforce needed as a catalyst for economic growth,” he said during the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) and International College of Advanced Technology (i-CATS) 22nd Convocation at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here yesterday.
He said to remain relevant in today’s digital era, there was a constant need to ensure the education syllabus and training taught in each TVET programme were up-to-date or thoroughly reviewed.
“Looking at the direction of the country’s development in various sectors and the readiness for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and the Digital Economy, the government’s move to strengthen the TVET system is a very significant approach.
“With the advent of the digital economy, there will be more job opportunities. And I hope that all graduates will be ready and able to improve their skills especially in the field of ICT,” he stressed.
Abang Johari added that various initiatives had been taken by the state government to ensure the journey towards digital economy would be successful, and the state would emulate developing countries such as Japan, Estonia and Australia to transform the economy to a more competitive level.
“As such, PPKS is responsible as one of TVET’s leading institutions in providing high quality and skilled human capital in technical and vocational areas in Sarawak,” he stressed.
He said the role and cooperation of the industries in the state should also be in line with the direction of TVET, where the relationship of the industry with accredited training and education centres such as PPKS could contribute to the greater success of TVET.
“With such a synergistic relationship, the marketability of our TVET graduates will be higher,” Abang Johari pointed out.
