Melaka: The ASEAN TVET Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue (ATC 4th RPD) must chart a clear way forward for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized the importance of building an ASEAN-wide ecosystem that places TVET at the center of the region's future. The ASEAN TVET Council (ATC) is envisioned as the nerve center that connects policies, aligns standards, and drives shared growth.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Ahmad Zahid stressed the need to expand TVET access to rural communities, particularly targeting the youth. He highlighted the role of GiatMARA, a long-standing TVET institution under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and his ministry in Malaysia, which has successfully equipped rural youth with skills, resulting in over 50 graduates becoming millionaires in various technical fields. This was part of his keynote address at the ATC 4th RPD themed 'TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement.'
The dialogue saw the presence of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Melaka State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, and representatives from ASEAN, Germany, and Australia.
Dr. Ahmad Zahid highlighted the necessity for ASEAN to bridge the skills gap by promoting industry-driven, demand-based training programs. The region needs a talent pipeline shaped by the demands of factories, plantations, and emerging green industries across ASEAN. Achieving this requires industries to co-develop training, share apprenticeships, and open cross-border job opportunities.
He further explained the importance of building TVET as a full ecosystem, aligning education, industry, infrastructure, certification, and digital access, all guided by data and coordinated by ATC. As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia is prepared to coordinate and lead. Dr. Ahmad Zahid proposed the formalization of Malaysia as the ASEAN TVET Certification and Excellence Hub, seeking the full support of all member states for this initiative.
Dr. Ahmad Zahid concluded by stating that TVET is now central to national economic strategies, with skills being the new currency in the global race for relevance. Malaysia is championing skills development and laying the groundwork for ASEAN to become a TVET powerhouse. He called for collective efforts to ensure TVET remains accessible, relevant, and future-proof for all, emphasizing its potential as a powerful tool for poverty eradication and generational change.