Taking vocational courses to higher level

PUTRAJAYA: Technical education and vocational training (TVET) should not be seen as a second choice for young people with no academic scores as it is a highly technical stream which is all about precision.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia not only needs competitive academic courses but also competitive TVET courses to compete with developed countries.
"Without the right human capital in place, we cannot see the next paradigm shift in our economy," Khairy said during a collaboration signing ceremony between the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) and ITE Education Services Singapore at his ministry today.
Society too needs to change its perception of TVET education, he added.
"TVET education is not the last resort for young students with inferior academic scores. These students have different skills, abilities and talents and if society is able to factor in these differences, then we'll start to see wages rising in TVET jobs," Khairy said.
Developed countries that have a technically and technologically sophisticated economy, like in Europe and Northeast Asia, value TVET education and these graduates are priced accordingly.
"However, especially in developing countries, we still see TVET as second or third or fourth choice, and this has to change," Khairy said.
The partnership between IKBN and ITE Education Services is aimed at increasing the leadership and education level in all IKBN.
The two programmes under the partnership are TVET Technical Pedagogy Master Trainers Program and TVET Leaders Training Workshop (LTW) Program.