Kuala lumpur: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates have achieved a marketability rate ranging from 96 per cent to 97.9 per cent from 2023 to 2025, according to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rubiah highlighted that this achievement underscores the success of MARA's industry-based training approach, strengthened by various empowerment programmes. These initiatives emphasize industrial training, professional certification, and strategic partnerships with major companies.
During the winding up of the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 at the committee level for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry at Dewan Rakyat, Rubiah noted, "Based on the study under the Higher Education Ministry, the marketability of MARA TVET graduates was 96.5 per cent in 2023, 97.9 per cent in 2024 and 96 per cent in 2025, exceeding the national target set."
MARA's initiatives include programmes like the Development for Ensuring Employability Programme, Industry Bootcamp, and apprenticeships that guarantee employment. There are also curriculum adjustments through collaborations with entities such as Petronas, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM).
Rubiah also mentioned steps taken to enhance rural TVET development, including efforts focused on Orang Asli communities through short-term training and national-standard skill certificate programmes tailored to local industry needs. Additionally, there is a focus on the B40 group, tahfiz students, and gig workers to ensure inclusive access to rural TVET.
"These skill programmes are based on industry needs and local economies so that graduates can find jobs easily, gain premium salaries comparable to their skills, and raise the economy of local youth," Rubiah added.
The Dewan Rakyat subsequently approved the estimated management and development expenditure of RM12,401,611,100 allocated to the ministry under the 2026 Budget, with a majority of votes in agreement after being debated by 27 MPs.