KUALA LUMPUR, March 11: The absence of more than 10,000 students during the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year, clearly reflects a need for alternative educational pathways that are more flexible and skills-oriented, says the President of Yayasan Mahir Malaysia, Datuk Sri Ganes Palaniapan.
For these students, who are probably less inclined toward academics but possess high technical and practical abilities, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) could be just the right solution, he said during the opening ceremony of the Siemens Digital Industry Training Academy at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Perai, recently.
He pointed out that the TVET not only offered students the opportunity to acquire specific skills, but also enhance their employability in industries that require skilled labour.
Expanding access to TVET and introducing more programs aligned with industry needs will be crucial in addressing the issue of student dropout from the conventional education system, he said.
The event, officiated by the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between SG TVET Group and the Human Resources Department (JTM) to form a strategic partnership in implementing TVET-based training programs.
Sri Ganes, who is also the CEO of SG TVET Group, stated that TVET is no longer just a secondary pathway but has become the primary platform in shaping a competitive workforce, accelerating economic growth, and opening job opportunities without borders.
He pointed out that students can also acquire practical skills in a shorter timeframe under the TVET programmes, allowing them to enter the job market earlier with relevant and job-ready skills while raising their employability.
“Many companies now recognize that practical skills obtained through TVET are often more valuable than academic qualifications alone, especially for those who lack sufficient work experience.
“Moreover, the TVET sector offers higher earning potential, with many TVET graduates earning higher salaries compared to those with only academic qualifications and no industry experience,” he added.
Besides the initial training, the programmes also offer opportunities for entrepreneurship and lifelong skill enhancement, allowing individuals to grow in various fields and even start their own businesses, and this makes it a smart choice for those who wish to build a stable and competitive career in the future, he added.
Getting internationally recognised qualifications acknowledged by the industry would also put TVET graduates in a better position, allowing them to be more competitive and gain broader recognition.
He cited the Siemens Digital Industry Training Academy, which offers a dual certification program from Siemens and JTM, as one example, saying that it would provide TVET graduates an edge in the job market.
The above is a sponsored article.