Kuala Lumpur:The RM8 billion allocation for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across various ministries under Budget 2027 is a significant step forward, according to Associate Professor Dr. Yasir Mohd Mustafah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Yasir, a Mechatronics Engineering lecturer from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), emphasized that this allocation combines skills development with social benefits. It targets tahfiz students and Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel who have completed their service, aiming to bolster the TVET industry and support Malaysia's economic growth.
The initiative is designed to enhance workforce employability and improve social mobility for these groups, provided they take full advantage of the training opportunities. Dr. Yasir highlighted that tahfiz students will not only learn the Quran but also have the option to pursue careers in TVET, thus contributing to the nation. Similarly, MAF personnel, often taking on roles such as taxi drivers post-retirement, will have opportunities to further develop their skills through this program.
The allocation includes provisions for short courses for tahfiz students at Community Colleges, offering pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and higher education. MAF personnel will receive skills training through collaborations with institutions like the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology and the Malaysian Maritime Academy.
Dr. Yasir also stressed the importance of the government monitoring the allocation recipients, suggesting the introduction of key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the initiative's effectiveness and meaningful impact. He recommended that KPIs focus on outcomes such as job placements rather than merely counting training sessions.
The RM8 billion allocation, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2027 presentation in Parliament, also includes RM3 billion for the Human Resource Development Corporation. This funding is intended to provide three million skills training opportunities, including ongoing professional development for professionals.