Kuala Lumpur: The government is committed to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in agriculture and has never sidelined the sector, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council (MTVETN), highlighted that the national average employability rate for TVET graduates is 94.5 percent, with those from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) institutions achieving 98.7 percent. In comparison, the agriculture sector records an employment rate of 80 percent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid assured that the government has never neglected TVET in agriculture and intends to enhance focus on both agricultural-based and non-agricultural-based TVET fields. He emphasized the importance of supporting talents such as agricultural technicians and engineers to ensure they receive the necessary support and priority.
During the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Ahmad Zahid responded to a supplementary question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) about the government’s plans to strengthen TVET in agriculture, amid concerns over the production of only 600 graduates in the field annually. He noted that the TVET education program is inclusive, with enrolment open to all students, not just those struggling academically.
Ahmad Zahid highlighted that TVET, supported by a strong ecosystem and high graduate employability, is becoming the preferred choice for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers. He mentioned that while the Education Ministry’s (MOE) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives have been successful, student interest remains low, making TVET a viable solution.
In 2023, over 10,000 SPM candidates registered, while more than 8,000 who registered last year failed to sit for the exam. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that TVET offers these students a second chance and should be seen as a first choice, not a backup plan, for those less inclined towards academics. He expressed this view in response to a supplementary question from Lee Chuan How (PH-Ipoh Timor) regarding the government’s policy to position TVET as a primary option for students.