TECHNICAL and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is very relevant in Sabah’s efforts to continue developing its economic sector which is supported by the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, said Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said it prepares graduates to become a skilled workforce and reduce dependence on foreign workers.
Sabah, which has natural resources, oil and gas, agricultural and investment sectors, wants to develop the manufacturing sector in line with efforts of the Government which has outlined various initiatives to ensure economic growth can be enhanced.
“The Government has successfully brought many foreign investors to open their manufacturing businesses in the State, among them the copper foil plant by SK Nexilis and the solar glass plant, Kibing.
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Hajiji said by coordinating the TVET programme according to the needs of the industry “we can ensure that our graduates can not only fill the vacancies offered but also create job opportunities through fostering a culture of innovation.”
“Parents in Sabah also need to keep an open mind and not consider TVET education as a third or fourth option, but realise that TVET is very important in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“The youth need to seize the opportunity to enter the TVET field because the courses offered have been adapted according to the needs of the labour market thus guaranteeing employment,” he stressed.
Hajiji said TVET is not just about equipping individuals with skills, as it is also synonymous with empowerment, job opportunities and economic growth, in addition to being closely related to nurturing innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers who drive Sabah’s progress in the 21st century.
He said in today’s technological era, digitisation and Artificial intelligence (AI) are new resources that can replace humans in doing tasks and it is very important to prepare the young people of Sabah to adapt to technological advances in facing future challenges.
Therefore, he said, the Sabah TVET Symposium 2023, which is themed “The role of TVET in driving innovation and honing talent in Sabah” clearly shows that TVET institutions in Sabah are the front line that will lead in the transformation, where apart from being a learning centre they will also act as a centre for innovation and skills development.
Hajiji said the success of TVET does not only depend on educational institutions but rather is a collective effort that requires the commitment of the Government, industry and the economic community.
He hopes the Sabah TVET Association (PeTS), which unites almost all TVET institutions in Sabah, will be a platform to share information related to TVET, in addition to discussing policies related to TVET that can be presented to the Sabah Skills Development Department (JPK).
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