Higher Education Ministry targets 10 new community colleges a year

KUANTAN: The Higher Education Ministry is targeting to set up at least 10 community colleges a year, as well as improve the existing colleges, to produce more skilled workers in the country.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (pix) said there were currently 103 community colleges nationwide with graduates' marketability of up to 97.2%.
"It is an impressive achievement for the community college to achieve graduates' marketability of up to 97.2%. It shows they have no problem at all to get job.
"This is all because of the educational and vocational transformation, as well as the close cooperation of the various companies in the industrial sector.
"The community colleges are able to supply the skilled workers required by the country," he told reporters after opening the convocation ceremony for community colleges in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan here today.
Meanwhile, Idris said the community colleges should continue to enhance cooperation with industry players to be able to know the changing needs and requirements of the sector.
"As of middle of last year, I was informed that 1,850 graduates of community colleges were able to get placement at the various economic corridors in the country, including 700 people at Iskandar Malaysia, 300 people at the East Coast Economic Corridor and 400 people at the Northern Corridor Economic Region," he added.
He said the ministry was also studying to expand the building of houses by community college students for the poor in the country.
"So far, we have built 18 Community Houses in Besut," he added. — Bernama