SUNGAI BESAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has outlined three technical and vocational education and training (TVET) initiatives to produce skilled workers and entrepreneurs among rural youth.
The initiatives are the TVET Premium Career Agreement, TVET Jana Desa and Smart and Green TVET Workshops, which will be implemented in phases.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said the TVET Premium Career Agreement would prioritise early cooperation with employers in selected programmes, including agreements on competencies, placement conditions and salary packages before trainees are recruited.
He said industry players would also be involved in curriculum development and assessments to ensure training met labour market needs.
"This approach is intended to improve job matching, ensure appropriate starting salaries and provide clearer career progression pathways for TVET graduates," he said.
He was speaking at the opening of the TVET Expo at Stadium Sungai Besar.
Zahid said the second initiative, TVET Jana Desa, aimed to produce graduates capable of establishing technical enterprises and creating jobs in their respective districts.
Fields such as agricultural machinery maintenance, pumps and cooling systems had local economic potential in areas such as Sungai Besar, he said.
"Graduates will receive business guidance, access to financing and market opportunities so that their technical skills can be developed into enterprises capable of creating jobs for local communities," he said.
Under the Smart and Green TVET Workshops initiative, workshops at TVET institutions will serve as collaborative spaces for trainees, instructors and industry players to develop practical technological solutions.
Zahid said projects being considered included machine monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI)-based automation and energy efficiency to help rural entrepreneurs increase productivity and reduce operating costs.
He said the initiatives would also complement the 2027 Budget target of placing 1,000 Bumiputera youths in high-growth sectors through Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), as well as using GiatMARA wiring skills to carry out wiring repairs in 20,000 homes belonging to poor families.
"The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, together with implementing agencies and industry partners, will also detail the institutions involved, financing mechanisms and outcome targets to ensure implementation of each initiative can be monitored and its benefits reach the intended groups," he said.
Zahid urged young people to seize TVET opportunities by choosing their fields of study seriously, developing their skills to a high level of expertise and upholding integrity at work.
He also called on parents to support their children in choosing TVET as a pathway to their futures.
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