PUTRAJAYA: The Human Resources Ministry has recommended that the Malaysian Skills Certificate System be made the sole accreditation mechanism in issuing technical, vocational education and training (TVET) certificates.
Its minister V. Sivakumar said currently, TVET certifications were under the Skills Development Department and the Malaysians Qualifications Agency's supervision.
He said this had caused disorganisation in the implementation of TVET in Malaysia.
He said having the Malaysian Skills Certificate System to be the sole accreditation mechanism would enhance TVET in the country.
"As such, it is wise to set the Malaysian Skills Certificate System under the supervision of the Skills Development Department, which is based on the National Occupational Standard as the single mechanism system.
"This should involve all five levels of TVET programmes within the Malaysian Qualifications Framework," he said during his address at the 2023 Ministry Message event, here, today.
Sivakumar said as TVET, previously under the Higher Education Ministry, now comes under his ministry, he urged the Human Resources Department to re-evaluate offered courses to guarantee it meets the industry needs.
"Courses offered need to be improved with digitalisation and automation elements to serve the need of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
"Human Resources Ministry needs to give a new image to TVET, so that it will not be treated as alternatives."
The cabinet meeting on Dec 7 last year had decided that Human Resources Ministry would now take over as the Secretariat of the National TVET Council.
He said the Human Resources Ministry needed to also assess the approach and effectiveness of the National Dual Training System as a quick win approach in producing skilled local workers.
"The transformation of the National Dual Training System needs to be done by focusing more on areas based on new and high technology that are the current needs of the industry," he said.
Meanwhile, he said his ministry needed to outline a better and strategic planning to face upcoming challenges.
"The ministry's 2023-2025 Strategic Plan is based on five cores, namely, empowerment of skilled human capital; strengthening labour market; guarantee of workers' rights to safety, health and social well-being; strengthening law enforcement and compliance; and strengthening and empowering governance."
