Kuala lumpur: A total of 473 prison prospects underwent Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the construction sector from 2024 to June this year, equipping them with skills to facilitate their reintegration into society upon release.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah reported that 184 prospects participated in the programme in 2024, followed by 234 in 2025, with another 55 prospects participating up to June this year. He emphasized that the TVET training programme in prisons was a strategic initiative by the Home Ministry (KDN) designed to enhance the employability of prospects and strengthen their rehabilitation ahead of their release.
The training programme is supported by three main certification bodies: the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) from the Department of Skills Development under the Ministry of Human Resources, the Construction Skills Competency Certificate from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), and the Modular Certificate through industry collaboration. For the construction sector, training under the CIDB certification programme encompasses courses such as welding, electrical work, mobile crane operation, plastering, and other construction-related skills.
This was stated by Shamsul Anuar during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, in response to a question from Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin regarding the government's plans to provide TVET or skills training programmes for prison prospects nearing the end of their prison terms, particularly through strategic collaboration with private companies and government-linked companies (GLCs).
Shamsul Anuar further stated that 33 institutions under the Prisons Department had been recognized as Industrial Vocational Centres (PVIs). More than 430 GLCs and private companies, including SWCorp, Lotus, Shopee, and Micro Driving Academy, have been collaborating with the department. He also highlighted that nearly 100 per cent of prospects who completed TVET training secured employment upon their release, a testament to the effectiveness of the programme. Records indicated that many prospects were trained by companies and continued working with the same companies after their release, reflecting the Prisons Department's commitment to strengthening the programme.