From Set To Diploma: Malaysia Formalises Skills Recognition In Creative Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s creative industry, long reliant on informal on-set training, is entering a new era of formal recognition, with practitioners now earning professional diplomas to validate their skills, said National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) Chairman Datuk Hans Isaac.

Speaking at the Meatech Creative Academy convocation today, Hans said the billion-ringgit sector has created more than 30,000 jobs, making professional certification essential to maintain competitiveness.

The convocation celebrated 120 graduates, including the first cohort of 50 creative practitioners receiving the Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM) through the Recognition of Prior Achievements (PPT) programme, in collaboration with FINAS.

The diplomas cover film directing coordination, theatre acting and coaching, and video and film production, aligning academic credentials with industry experience.

Hans said formal recognition through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes like the DKM provides clearer career pathways, including for industry veterans who previously lacked certification despite extensive experience.

Notable recipients include Esma Danial, Zed Zaidi, Riezman Khuzaimi, Datuk Fizz Fairuz, Zizan Nin and Datuk Afdlin Shauki, who also received the Industry Achievement Award for his creativity and commitment during the PPT evaluation.

Zed Zaidi described the process as challenging, requiring thesis writing and presentations, skills rarely demanded of artists who learned entirely on set.

“Adapting to academic formats was new, but it is important to recognise the years of experience we have built in the industry,” he said.

Hans said the initiative marks a key step in professionalising Malaysia’s creative workforce, opening clearer career pathways and ensuring the sector remains competitive in a rapidly growing global market.

-- BERNAMA