IPOH: The perception and stigma against Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education should be addressed to attract more students to further their studies in vocational education.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said some still believed that TVET was a 'second-class' education because it did not promise a good future.
Saarani added that some even said that TVET should be the last option because it did not promise a good opportunity to get a decent salary.
"This is a stigma that we must scrape away. The fact is, TVET graduates are not only increasingly sought after by employers, but the demand for TVET graduates is now increasing.
"The latest statistics from the Higher Education Ministry show that the marketability of TVET graduates has now reached 90 per cent every year.
"This proves that TVET graduates are equivalent to other graduates from higher learning institutions. This fact is also proof that TVET has succeeded in forming a competent workforce that is certified by the industry," he said.
Saarani said this in his speech at the launch of the Perak TVET Council in Casuarina Hotel, Meru here, today.
He said in the context of national development especially in Perak, the readiness of skilled TVET graduates was necessary to meet the demands of the industry.
"This also coincides with the vision of Perak Sejahtera 2030 to reduce dependence on foreign labour, and improve the quality of life and income of the people," he said.
On the Perak TVET Council, a collaboration between public and private stakeholders, Saarani said it would play a role as a guide for the TVET ecosystem.
"This council also acts as a monitoring body for human capital development to meet the needs of the industry in line with aspirations towards Malaysia's TVET Corridor.
"For that, TVET needs to be emphasised to ensure that it is always relevant and in line with the development of the industry. When TVET is empowered, we expect more youth to choose TVET as a learning and career path.
"Armed with skills, not only does it make it easier for graduates to get a job, but proactively creates space or income as a job creator. TVET graduates also have the opportunity to become innovative and creative entrepreneurs," he said.