Improved TVET training curriculum can better prepare grads, says Noraini

 

Noraini Ahmad says polytechnic graduates are very much in demand, proven by their marketability, which has recorded more than 90% five years in a row.

PETALING JAYA: Higher education minister Noraini Ahmad will focus efforts on improving the education system in the country, while filling the workforce gaps through solutions from collaborations.

She said this will include strategies to upskill future talent, increase the quality of academia and training as well as the utilisation of new technology and the strengthening of good governance.

“The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme will continue to be empowered through reinforcing catalyst growth. This can be done through the betterment of the ecosystem as a whole, programme accreditation and recognition at the international level.

“The introduction of the TVET Single Rating Programme and the TVET Collaboration Hub (TCH) is expected to complete the establishment of the National TVET Agency (MTVET) as well as the industry advisory on national levels,” she said in a speech today.

Noraini said in a June 29 meeting between MVET and human resources minister M Saravanan, three proposals were submitted by various focus groups and the Department of Skills Development for approval at the next meeting in November 2021.

“The proposals included TVET Collaboration Hub (TCH): A New Narrative of Synergistic Collaboration for the TVET Empowerment Agenda, the Single Rating TVET Programme and Industry Driven TVET Empowerment Agenda Through the Establishment of an Industrial Government TVET Coordinating Body.

“These three proposals will drive future policies if approved at the MTVET level,” Noraini said.

She added polytechnic graduates were very much in demand, proven by their marketability which has recorded more than 90% five years in a row.

In 2018, the marketability rate of polytechnic graduates stood at 96.1%, 2019 recorded 96.7% while 2020 recorded 91.2% despite the pandemic.

“To ensure the curriculum of polytechnic studies remain relevant to the industry and the future job market, active involvement from (industry) players is needed so that it becomes an industry-driven curriculum,” she said.

In terms of industry-led initiatives, Noraini said the WBL@PolyCC programme focused on an integrative approach of academic and real-life situations.

It aims to focus on experiential learning while implementing a structured learning system that provides relevant industry exposure and experience.

“Currently, seven WBL@PolyCC programmes are executed at the bachelor degree stage, six at the polytechnic diploma stage and 16 at the community college diploma level.

“Additionally, under the Structured Internship Programme (SIP), there is the Talent Enhancement Programme (TEP) where 21 industries have offered 2,188 final year students the opportunity to undergo industrial training, while eventually securing jobs.

“Some of the players involved include Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Talent Corp Malaysia and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority,” she said. - FMT