Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek says TVET is a primary pathway, with graduate employability at 99% and applications surging past available places
NILAI: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become a mainstream education pathway and is no longer considered a secondary option.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said this shift is evident from a dramatic rise in applications, which increased from 28,098 in 2022 to 58,263 this year.
This figure far exceeds the existing capacity of 17,912 places, reflecting growing public confidence in the sector.
“This shift in perception is driven by an increasingly dynamic global economic landscape, including the emergence of new technologies and the growing complexity of industry needs,” she said.
Fadhlina stated that TVET is now seen as a backbone of the country’s economic development.
She made these remarks at the 10th Ministry of Education Vocational College Convocation Ceremony here today.
The minister highlighted that the employability rate for MOE TVET graduates has reached an impressive 99%.
“This shows that our students have reached, in my view, a very high level of skills,” Fadhlina added.
She credited this success to a strong national TVET ecosystem and crucial industry involvement.
The convocation ceremony involved 10,808 graduates from 84 vocational colleges across 32 study programmes.
Fadhlina emphasised that TVET graduates are recognised as well-rounded and competitive individuals.
“We are no longer talking about potential, but are seeing the results,” she said.
She noted that students are proving their capabilities on both national and international stages.
The ministry remains committed to further strengthening TVET as a primary choice for students.
Fadhlina also extended appreciation to the TVET division, lecturers, and industry players.
She said their continuous efforts help develop local talent and a highly skilled domestic workforce.
