TVET programmes boost social mobility and youth interest in skilled careers, says Perlis exco Marzita Mansor.
KANGAR: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has the potential to serve as a powerful vehicle for social mobility while encouraging greater interest among young people in skills-based careers, the Perlis State Assembly was told.
State executive councillor for Women, Family and Community Development, Education, Unity, Welfare and Poverty Eradication Datin Marzita Mansor said TVET programmes have consistently produced highly employable graduates capable of earning competitive incomes.
She cited the example of two Perlis-born graduates from the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) Kuala Perlis, who specialised in marine studies and now earn average monthly incomes exceeding RM5,000 after completing their studies.
“In addition, one graduate has secured employment in Iran’s offshore sector, earning up to RM30,000 a month,” she said during Question Time.
Marzita said this in response to Asrul Aimran Abd Jalil (Kayang-PN) regarding the state government’s readiness to establish a State Skills Development Centre to complement the national TVET ecosystem and strengthen collaboration between government and industry to produce a skilled workforce.
She said that although Perlis has yet to establish such a centre, opportunities for local youths to pursue TVET remain widely available through existing registered institutions across the state.
She added that the state government is actively forging strategic partnerships with both public and private TVET institutions to expand participation among Perlis youths.
