Mahdzir: Vocational College graduates in much demand

NILAI: A total of 72.3% or 1,643 of the 2,273 diploma graduates in 16 different courses from 15 vocational colleges nationwide have received job offers upon finishing their studies in April.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (pix) said those who graduated with diplomas in Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology and Automotive Technology were among the most sought after.
"For me, this is a very healthy development and it places the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as one of the important components of education at the national level.
"We want a skilled workforce, so this is one of the components in TVET," he told reporters after the inaugural Ministry of Education (MOE) convocation ceremony for vocational colleges at Dewan Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia here today.
Also present were Education Director-General Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof.
Mahdzir said the government was also committed to developing the potential of students with a variety of interests and abilities through a 20% increase in student enrolment in the vocational education system.
"To date, there are about 78,000 students currently enrolled in skills training at 80 vocational colleges across the country," he said.
Mahdzir also hoped that cooperation between the MOE, private industries and government agencies could be enhanced in implementing the Vocational Education Transformation, particularly to provide opportunities for students to undergo on the job training (OJT).
"Cooperation with industries should be enhanced, as in 2017, approximately 14,000 students from vocational colleges will be ready for OJT," he said.
Mahdzir said the ministry was also planning to increase the number of courses available under TVET, according to market demand. — Bernama