TVET providers to ensure IR 4.0 well understood: Riot

PUTRAJAYA: The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers are encouraged to align themselves to the latest skills standard and curriculum to ensure the Fourth Industrial Revolution is well-understood and learned.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot (pix) said by providing industry 4.0 relevant skills through TVET programmes, this would not only prepare the youth for the future labour market but also prepare the human capital for nation building with the knowledge and skills.
He said the government has allocated RM50 million from the 30% pool fund for TVET to increase competitiveness and improve the calibre of the workforce and the nation's economic development.
"As the government is pushing for the adoption of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, our industries have no choice but to embrace intelligent production and include more industry 4.0 elements in their operations if they want to stay relevant and competitive," Riot said at his speech during the launching of the National Conference on the 4th Industrial Revolution Skills Development: Road Map To the Future here today.
His speech was read by the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Gazali Abas.
Explaining further, Riot said the failure to recognise and adapt would bring serious repercussions on the nation's ability to be competitive.
"Governments around the world have increasingly recognise the significance of TVET courses towards supporting their national economy. For example, Germany has 81% skilled workforce, of which 63% are skilled craftsmen graduated from dual training system and vocational courses, and only 18% from universities.
"Looking into the future, Malaysia is also embarking on this trend and targets to increase such collaborations with the industry," he said adding that the government had also set a goal to increase the percentage of the skilled workers to 35% by 2020.
The one-day conference, which was organised by the Education Faculty of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Human Resources Ministry, was participated by 300 industry players, academicians and agencies to identify and discuss the industry trends as well as demands and job offers at the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The conference, which saw eight working papers presented, will also further develop resilience in meeting the challenges of the revolution in line with the country's aspiration in the National Transformation 2050 (TN50). — Bernama