TECHNICAL and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates can help solve the labour issue in the country in the long run, said the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

Secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the government must also encourage and support industries to use automation and new technology.

Currently, Putrajaya is not promoting TVET programmes as a possible solution, he added.

“We must strengthen TVET and give it more publicity,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Currently, many industry players do not appreciate TVET graduates, thinking they are not skilled enough or equipped with enough knowledge.

“Putrajaya must promote this education process more and make sure that the public understand that these graduates are not merely mechanics or factory workers.

“We need to change the way people look at TVET as the current perception is that TVET has no future.”

Kamarul said parents should not feel embarrassed if their children are accepted into TVET institutions.

Countries such as Japan and South Korea are developed in many industries thanks to skilled workers, he added.

“Do not feel disheartened if your child is accepted into a TVET programme and will not be attending university.

“Not all are born to be doctors or lawyers; some are born with skills and need to get more exposure and education to be successful.”

The Rural Development Ministry earlier this week said it will ramp up efforts to educate the public on the vast potentials of TVET.

Minister Mahdzir Khalid said his ministry aims to promote such courses as the preferred choice among youth.

A total of 48,800 students are currently enrolled in 515 programmes – from certificate to postgraduate levels – in technical institutions under the ministry.

Lagging behind in innovation

Kamarul said not much has changed concerning the use of the latest technology in the past 10 years.

“Many jobs, especially in factories and plantations, require a lot of energy but we are wasting our energy by using old methods. We need new and modern technology to increase production.

“For example, workers still use their own strength to pick up fruit bunches, which can each weigh up to 20kg, at oil palm plantations despite the existence of machines that can help speed up work.

“We are still behind in innovation, not much has changed in our system. We also need to upgrade our own backyard to address the labour issue.”

He said certain names of job positions should also be rebranded to attract more locals.

“Instead of calling someone a plantation worker, we should give the position a more professional name. Maybe… plantation field assistant. This can help modernise the industry.”

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob last year said technical fields remain relevant and continue to expand in Malaysia, in line with the aspirations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Putrajaya had, under Budget 2022, allocated RM6.6 billion to strengthen TVET, he added. – June 25, 2022.