TVET To Be Elevated Under 13MP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) outlines a key direction to elevate the certification of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to be on par with higher education, in line with the goal of producing skilled and high-income workers.

National Skilled Workers Organisation (BELIA MAHIR) president Mohammad Rizan Hassan welcomed the 13MP tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, especially the government’s commitment to strengthening the national TVET ecosystem.

He also made four recommendations to the government to further empower TVET programmes, namely, preserving the principle of ‘TVET for all’; diversifying training approaches with inclusive funding; aligning training funds and TVET financing under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK); and transforming PTPK into a ‘National TVET Fund’ – a future workforce investor.

“BELIA MAHIR calls for the spirit of ‘TVET For All’ to be preserved and intensified by ensuring comprehensive access for all youth, especially NEET (Not in Employment, Education and Training) youth. This remains a key focus of the National TVET Council (MTVET) under the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as chairman.

“In addition, training approaches must be more dynamic and tailored to industry needs. Programmes that should be strengthened and financed include Teaching Factory (TEFA), Work-Based Learning (WBL), and Apprenticeship programmes,” he said in a statement today.

Mohammad Rizan also expressed hope that the MADANI TVET Empowerment Financing Scheme and the TVET Training Fund would be fully managed under PTPK and coordinated by the National TVET Council to avoid overlapping implementation by the 12 ministries involved in TVET, thereby ensuring transparency and maximum impact for trainees.

He further proposed that PTPK be rebranded as the National TVET Fund with broader and more strategic functions, including financing training equipment and smart workshop development, as well as providing incentives to companies that trained and employed TVET graduates.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizan said his organisation remained committed to working with the government, the National TVET Council, industry, and training institutions to ensure that every policy and implementation in the 13MP truly benefited the future of the nation's skilled youth.

Meanwhile, MyDigital ID in a statement also welcomed the emphasis on the importance of MyDigital ID as a secure and verifiable single digital identity key, which facilitated access to various online public services more efficiently and swiftly, aligning with the government’s efforts to advance digitalisation.

“To date, a total of 45 online service platforms, encompassing both government and private sector services, have been integrated with MyDigital ID. This number is expected to continue rising in line with phased implementation nationwide.

“User security remains a priority, with the system designed not to store biometric data, and identity verification being conducted directly with government databases via the National Registration Department (JPN),” read the statement.

Meanwhile, MyDigital ID chief executive officer Nik Hisham Nik Ibrahim said the main focus of MyDigital ID was to serve as a real-time digital trust system, not only facilitating public transactions through widespread use but also strengthening national digital sovereignty and security.

-- BERNAMA