Drone, AI skills reshape Malaysia’s TVET landscape
PETALING JAYA: Once dismissed as a pathway for students who could not keep up with conventional academics, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is taking flight into a new era, preparing Malaysians for industries being transformed by drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
At HEE Tech Academy, students as young as 16 are being trained not merely to fly drones, but also to understand how the technology could be applied to real-world challenges, from agriculture and infrastructure inspections to search and rescue.
The academy, which began operations in 2023, offers the Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 2 in Drone Piloting, alongside modular and short courses covering drone technology, repair and maintenance, programming and AI.
Centre manager Ahmad Syazrin Nasaruddin said the focus was on equipping students with practical skills that matched the rapidly changing demands of industry.
“It is not only about learning how to fly a drone. Students need to understand maintenance, operation and how drones could be applied in different industries.”
The academy’s eight-month programme is designed to produce competent drone operators with technical knowledge, while exposing them to the technology’s industrial applications.
Ahmad said the programme follows the National Occupational Skills Standard, which is developed based on industry needs and occupational demand.
He added that the protocol ensures TVET programmes remain aligned with the skills employers require, rather than training students for jobs that do not exist.
He also said the academy currently has a capacity of about 50 students at a time, with younger students making up most of its fulltime intake.
However, he said its appeal extends beyond school leavers. Ahmad said its short courses also attract experienced workers seeking to convert their existing skills and experience into certification, giving them a pathway to remain relevant as technology changes the nature of work.
He added that for students from lower-income families, financing could also make the eight-month programme more accessible.
The academy said eligible students may apply for financing through the Skills Development Fund Corporation, with the programme fee listed at about RM7,850.
Under the financing pathway, eligible students may also receive allowances, including a monthly allowance of up to RM800 and transport assistance, subject to applicable requirements and approval.
The academy also said the financing is a loan rather than a grant and is not automatically guaranteed to every B40 student.
For senior leadership consultant Jude Martin, making such opportunities accessible is important because not every young person excels in a conventional classroom.
“Some people are talented in studies, while others are talented in skills. TVET gives them another option.”
He expressed belief that the perception of vocational education as a route for those who “failed” academically needs to change.
The academy is also looking beyond drones. Its director Tan Heng Meng said it plans to expand into other skills, including welding and areas linked to the oil and gas and construction industries.
He added that the broader objective is to help Malaysians develop at least one practical skill that could complement their academic qualifications.
“Even if you have a degree, you can still have a skill. One person, one skill.”
The demand for drone-related skills is being driven by the technology’s expanding applications across industries.
Ahmad said drones could reduce the need for individuals to carry out dangerous or physically demanding work, while improving speed and precision.
He said in agriculture, for instance, drones could support precision farming.
