German president sees lack of vocational training for youth

 

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he had talked to young people while visiting Penang and they voiced their expectations. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The visiting president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said vocational training was an area which the European country could collaborate with Malaysia.

He said he had noticed a lack of vocational training for young people while on a visit to Penang yesterday.

He said there were many high-tech German companies in the state producing semiconductors and medical supplies, Bernama reported.

“I talked to the young people who voiced their expectations and we need to intensify and do more in the field of vocational training in Malaysia,” he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Steinmeier said Malaysia would be an important location for German companies to diversify their businesses and investments.

He said there are over 700 German companies based in Malaysia creating 65,000 jobs, and there is room for more German firms to diversify and supply to their markets in the region.

Earlier this month, Anwar said the government would propose a partnership with businesses and companies to ensure that fresh graduates and trainees gained necessary expertise to meet the needs of each company.

The higher education ministry said a major revamp would be carried out in technical and vocational education to produce more skilled and technologically-competent students. - FMT