The Education Ministry recently formed a strategic partnership with four industry players in the oil and gas (O&G) sector to empower the nation’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Witnessed by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, a certificate of collaboration (CoC) was inked between the ministry, represented by the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPK), and four firms, namely Dynac Group, EEW Malaysia, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd and Brooke Dockyard and Engineering Works Corp.
The collaboration will see an expansion in job opportunities and accessibility for polytechnic and community colleges’ students and graduates.
Maszlee said the formation of the TVET O&G industry cluster as the first focus group served as a new milestone in efforts to strengthen TVET.
“It has been seven months since the cabinet launched the TVET Empowerment Cabinet Committee. We have since conducted consultations, round table discussions, workshops and dialogues.
“By grouping businesses into focus groups, we hope to better address issues specific to the industries, achieve greater efficiency and draft better synergy in our initiatives.
“We believe that TVET should be led by the industry, not the other way around. Today, we are going to make the oil and gas sector more attractive to graduates, especially from families in the Bottom 40 per cent group. With a better career, they can change the entire landscape of their community.”
To succeed, Maszlee said, having a clear focus was critical, especially as TVET moved towards adopting an industry-led and industry-certified framework.
He added that the ministry persistently seeks for industry participation not only in industrial training and work collaborations, but in curriculum development and education policy-making as well.
“If the accountancy profession has ACCA, CIMA and MICPA, I hope that today’s TVET O&G cluster will lead to a similarly dedicated group that strives to make education and training in the industry world-class and forward thinking.
“This is the first step in the long and arduous journey to revolutionise the way our society learns and accumulates new knowledge, skills and experience. This is also why TVET is known as future skills, a testament of the need to adapt and change as the world does,” said Maszlee.
JPPK managing director Dr Mohammad Naim Yaakub said the partnership signals numerous benefits for the polytechnic students and staff alike.
“A large number of our students especially from the petroleum and chemical engineering courses are having their internship placements with them. Our teaching staff can also undergo attachments to learn about the latest technologies and processes in O&G.
“Apart from that, experienced engineers will be invited to our polytechnics to share about their technologies and business models.”
Mohammad Naim added that this collaboration is in line with the government’s aim of having 35 per cent high-skilled workforce by next year.
“We are on track and moving towards the target. Our progress depends on the economic situation especially our domestic direct investments and foreign direct investments, as well as the types of skill structure they bring in.
“We hope that the small and medium enterprises (SME) in Malaysia will be more capital-intensive in high-technology content and be less dependent on foreign labour.
“TVET is currently following the Industry 4.0 masterplan developed by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI). We hope that industries can go along this line for us to have a more skilled workforce,” said Mohammad Naim.