Kuala lumpur: WorldSkills Malaysia Belia (WSMB) serves as a strategic platform for identifying and nurturing outstanding talent in skilled trades, particularly in the construction sector, by assessing participants against industry-aligned competency standards. The competition also provides participants with opportunities to enhance their technical skills, professionalism, and commitment to a culture of quality.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia Chief Executive Sr Ahmad Farrin Mokhtar stated that WSMB complements the human capital development agenda outlined in the CIDB Malaysia Construction Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Implementation Plan 2026-2030. This is achieved through stronger governance, digital transformation, clearly defined career pathways, and closer collaboration with industry players.
Ahmad Farrin highlighted that WSMB supports efforts to strengthen the construction TVET ecosystem and serves as a platform for selecting talent to represent the country in higher-level skills competitions. He emphasized that CIDB remains committed to talent development initiatives, viewing them as a long-term investment to ensure that the construction industry has a workforce capable of meeting the nation's current and future needs. The approach also aligns with the aspirations of the Construction Action Plan 2026-2030 (CAP30), CIDB's strategic blueprint for transforming the national construction industry.
A key focus of CAP30 is the development of a competent and competitive construction workforce prepared to meet future challenges through greater professionalism, digital integration, and the adoption of new technologies. Ahmad Farrin expressed CIDB's long-term goal of positioning WSMB as a talent development platform capable of identifying and nurturing more highly skilled youths to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry.
He elaborated that the success of the competition is measured not merely by medals won but by its ability to produce competent talent, individuals who earn the confidence of industry players, contribute to the development of the nation's construction sector and represent Malaysia on the international stage. This effort is supported by CIDB's training ecosystem, led by the Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) and CIDB Technologies, which produces about 4,000 youth graduates annually across various construction-related skill trades.
The effectiveness of this ecosystem is reflected in a graduate employability rate of about 85 per cent, demonstrating industry confidence in the quality of training and competence of CIDB graduates. Ahmad Farrin reiterated CIDB's commitment to continuously strengthening talent development to meet industry needs and enhance the competitiveness of the nation's construction sector.
Furthermore, Ahmad Farrin remarked that the employment landscape today increasingly values individuals who possess competence, recognized certifications, and practical experience, in addition to academic qualifications. He noted that WSMB demonstrates excellence through mastery of high-level skills that meet industry standards, providing youths with an opportunity to showcase their abilities in a competitive and professional environment, thereby strengthening public confidence in the TVET pathway.
He concluded by stating that CIDB believes TVET is no longer merely an alternative route but has emerged as a key pathway for producing the professional workforce required by the construction industry. This initiative reflects CIDB's commitment to strengthening the construction TVET ecosystem through competency development, improved training quality, technology adoption, and strategic collaboration with industry players. The commitment is further reinforced by the Construction TVET Implementation Plan, which focuses on digital transformation, the development of a Construction TVET Smart Hub, the implementation of Training Needs Analysis (TNA), and the development of technology-driven curricula.