Kuala Lumpur: The proposed establishment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission is anticipated to strengthen its mandate and broaden its role in advancing the national TVET transformation agenda. Polytechnic and Community College Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Zahari Ismail stated that if realized, the commission could function as an independent and autonomous body, with the authority to formulate policies, set standards, and oversee the implementation of TVET programs nationwide.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, unlike the National TVET Council, which serves as a policy and coordination platform without legislative authority, Mohd Zahari noted that the proposed TVET Commission would have the mandate to approve programs, regulate institutions, and ensure quality, in line with the national education framework. He emphasized that it would address the fragmentation within the current TVET system, which involves multiple ministries, and enable more consistent collaboration between industry players, institutions, and the government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced that the government is considering the proposal to establish a TVET Commission as part of efforts to further strengthen technical and vocational education and training in the country. Prof Dr Mohamad Sattar Rasul, chairman of the Centre for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Enculturation at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, stated that the proposed establishment of the commission would enable more effective monitoring of TVET program implementation. He highlighted the importance of overseeing TVET implementation to ensure a harmonized approach, as many programs under different ministries currently overlap or compete with one another.

Prof Dr Mohamad Sattar further explained that the establishment of the TVET Commission would help create a more structured and effective technical education and training landscape in the country. He added that the TVET sector holds strong potential to become a key driver of the national economy while providing broad employment opportunities for future generations.

Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia principal director (Academic and Internationalisation) Professor Dr Amir Akramin Shafie suggested that membership of the TVET Commission should be inclusive, based on merit and expertise, and not dominated by any single sector. He proposed that the commission's membership should comprise representatives from academia, industry, chambers of commerce, economic and labor planning agencies, public and private TVET institutions, digitalization experts, and community stakeholders.

This view was supported by Vocational Training Officers Association president Sarudin Rohseli, who believes the direction of skills training will remain relevant and effective only if the commission includes individuals actively involved in the field. He emphasized that the membership should consist of at least 10 to 20 individuals who are directly engaged in skills training, noting that too many professors or certified engineers often approach the matter from a purely academic perspective.