Kuala Lumpur: The government has announced plans to amend the National Skills Development Act 2006 (Act 652) to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim stated that the amendment aims to elevate the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) to levels equivalent to a degree or doctorate (PhD).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposed amendment seeks to introduce new levels in the SKM, which currently includes levels one to five, equating to an advanced diploma. Minister Sim emphasized the importance of this change, indicating that he plans to present the amendment to Parliament and is urging all Members of Parliament to support the initiative. The goal is to add levels six, seven, and eight to the SKM framework, positioning TVET education on par with a PhD.

Sim encouraged the public to reconsider their views on TVET institutions, highlighting the opportunities they provide for youth to gain knowledge and skills. He stressed the importance of recognizing that not all students need to attend university, as TVET institutions also offer significant avenues for higher education.

Meanwhile, the integrated UP_TVET system has already attracted 140,000 applications for admission to TVET institutions. Sim mentioned the potential future inclusion of private TVET institutions in the system, allowing students interested in TVET fields to access them via the same platform.