Kuala Lumpur: The Plantation and Commodities Ministry (MPIC) has announced a new mandate requiring plantation industry players to prioritize the hiring of graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs before considering foreign workers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani emphasized that industry players must provide evidence of their efforts to recruit TVET graduates to the ministry to obtain permission to hire foreign labor. He expressed concern over the reluctance of industries to employ graduates who have completed their training, often opting for foreign workers instead.

“We are currently facing a situation where many industries are unwilling to hire graduates who have completed their training. They are reluctant to provide these students with the opportunity to gain practical experience because they prefer to take the easier route,” Johari stated during the Dialog@MPIC session. He further clarified that although the government has approved foreign workers for the plantation sector, this will not be allowed unless industry players contribute to local youth employment.

Johari revealed that the ministry plans to train about 250 TVET students annually in the plantation sector, placing them in the industry according to specific needs. He stressed the importance of training these students until they become skilled specialists in the plantation field.

He praised companies like Sime Darby and FGV for their efforts to provide accommodation and decent salaries to young individuals who did not attend university. By developing skills and completing a TVET Level 3 qualification, these youths can earn competitive salaries, with potential earnings increasing significantly within eight months.

“The sector is vital as it represents the world’s third-largest export industry, and within the national commodity sector, Malaysia exports approximately RM168 billion,” Johari explained. He called on industry players to take responsibility for mentoring and supporting young talents, highlighting the current reliance on nearly 260,000 foreign workers to manage plantations.