LETTERS: In the wake of the government's substantial investment of RM6.8 billion in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes, private TVET institutions are intensifying efforts to influence policymaking, aiming to address sectoral challenges and enhance education strategies.
The funds are spread across 685 public TVET institutions and 24 state government institutes, overseen by 12 ministries.
Of the amount, RM180 million has been earmarked for the Skills Development Fund Corporation to facilitate student loans for private institutions.
As discussions on TVET policy progress, the call for increased involvement of private institutions in shaping education strategies is growing louder, with stakeholders underscoring the necessity for inclusive decision-making to propel sectoral growth and address the challenges confronting TVET.
We would like to highlight the disparity in support, where private TVET colleges like ours often find ourselves sidelined in the decision-making processes despite our substantial contributions to the sector.
We are committed to playing a more significant role in shaping TVET policies for the nation's advancement and have several suggestions for consideration by the authorities.
Recognising that TVET's mission extends beyond reducing dependence on foreign labour to addressing skill gaps in the job market, we must transcend the perception of TVET as just a solution to labour shortages.
TVET serves to bridge these gaps and it's imperative that we have a voice in shaping the policies governing it.
Efforts have been made by the Human Resources Ministry to hold employers more accountable for employing foreign workers, but challenges persist, especially in sectors like logistics and semiconductors.
The primary challenge lies in targeting specific industries and encouraging a shift towards hiring local talent. Encouraging a "hire local first" policy and expanding TVET programmes into sectors like hospitality and tourism could address some of the gaps.
Despite strides in addressing challenges, TVET continues to face hurdles in attracting a wider demographic beyond the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) group.
Efforts such as funding support through the Skills Development Fund Corporation, extensive branding campaigns and the introduction of more than 2,000 internationally recognised programmes have improved the perception of TVET.
There is still work to be done to change the perception of TVET as a programme exclusively for the B40 group.
In recent times, we have seen an increasing number of applications from the M40 group as high employability of up to 92.7 per cent with TVET certification have influenced parents to consider TVET education for their children.
We would like to emphasise the crucial role of private TVET institutions, totalling 652 up to 2023, in supplementing government efforts.
Advocating for public-private partnerships to accelerate graduate numbers and urging inclusion in the National TVET Council can further enhance the sector's efficacy.
Looking ahead to the national policy expected to be launched on June 2, I am optimistic it will provide an opportunity for greater recognition of the contributions of private institutions.
I hope the policy will streamline the TVET industry under the auspices of the 12 ministries and steer the sector towards a more robust future.
By collaborating with the government, we can raise TVET to new heights and ensure its responsiveness to the evolving demands of the job market.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR S. KUGAYNDRAN
Founder and managing director,
SAI International College
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times