VOCATIONAL colleges are not just producing competitive graduates, but also entrepreneurs who are able to earn a lucrative salary at a young age.

Education Ministry vocational training division deputy director Haidzir Hussin said some graduates who entered the “kuih bahulu” (traditional sponge cake) business are making RM70,000 a month.

“We have training programmes in collaboration with third parties, like 1st Step with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. There are also nationwide tours where students can participate in specialised courses in entrepreneurship, so that they can sign up their companies for free, and obtain funding and guidance.

“This is why some of our graduates are able to earn between RM20,000 and RM70,000 a month. Some have opened cake shops, earning RM40,000 a month at the age of 23,” he told a press conference after the 4th Vocational College Convocation at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in Nilai yesterday.

Deputy Director-General of Education Dr Ahmad Rafee Che Kassim officiated at the ceremony.

Haidzir said vocational college graduates had a high marketability rate of 97.02% last year, with students offered employment while still undergoing industrial training.

In this day and age, he said, students must be equipped with work skills and not just academic qualifications.

The perception that vocational education is “second class” must also be quashed, he said.

Yesterday, 14,387 graduates of vocational colleges nationwide received their diplomas. – Bernama, October 6, 2019.