IKM, KKTM, MJII Rebranded As TVETMARA - Ahmad Zahid

TASEK GELUGOR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- All MARA Skills Institutes (IKMs), MARA Higher Skills Colleges (KKTMs) and the MARA-Japan Industrial Institute (MJII) have been rebranded and will be known as TVETMARA, reflecting the government's commitment to elevate TVET education as the country's main agenda.

He said the rebranding, involving 25 institutions, is part of efforts to strengthen the new technical education ecosystem under MARA and to open a wider pathway for students in the skills field.

Commenting on the education pathway, he explained that TVETMARA is open to students from various backgrounds, including Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), GiatMARA and vocational college graduates.

"The education pathway under TVETMARA is organised according to skill levels, with GiatMARA offering Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Levels 2 and 3, while Levels 4 and 5 will be placed under TVETMARA.

"After that, graduates also have the option to further their studies at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) to take up the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level programmes, in addition to entering the job market with the relevant professional qualifications,” he told a media conference after officiating the launch of the TVETMARA rebranding ceremony here today.

Ahmad Zahid said those who did not obtain a pass in SPM or any credit at all have the opportunity to enhance their career in the TVET field.

He said the TVET institutions’ collaboration with industry players through a memorandum of agreement also contributed to the increased marketability of graduates, which currently stands at 98.7 per cent, while the marketability for graduates of IKM institutes has reached 100 per cent.

"The government hopes that this rebranding can help maintain the achievements and expand the graduates’ opportunity to further their education at a higher level, especially in terms of the government's need to produce 60,000 engineers in the electrical and electronics (E&E) field,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid said that, in tandem with the rebranding of TVETMARA, the Seberang Perai Utara IKM will implement the Transformation Plan towards the National Electrical Energy Specialist Academy (NEST) through the NEST Draft Strategic Transformation Plan for the 2025-2035 period.

He said the implementation of the NEST framework aligns with two main development phases: focusing on Community and Industrial Development, and emphasising National Development.

"This entire implementation is activated through four main focus areas, supported by five core strategies, encompassing 29 strategic initiatives and driven by eight key catalysts,” he added.

-- BERNAMA