Kuala lumpur: The role of the Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PERHEBAT) will be enhanced as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre for retired Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this strategic decision at the National TVET Council meeting, with the aim of improving graduate employability and strengthening Malaysia's TVET ecosystem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a pilot project will integrate 100 individuals into the logistics sector through collaboration with the Ministry of Transport (MOT), offering job opportunities with salaries up to RM5,000. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the National TVET Council, mentioned other initiatives such as the TVET Digital Freelancing Programme in partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). This program will enable TVET graduates to earn globally through the digital gig economy.
The government is also implementing the TVET Preneurs Pilot Programme in collaboration with the Management and Science University (MSU), aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among TVET graduates through training and industry guidance. Additionally, the FEN PROAKTIF 2.0 Programme by the Financial Education Network (FEN) will be expanded to enhance financial literacy among TVET students.
Agricultural TVET has been identified as a new priority to bolster talent in the agro-food sector and boost productivity and innovation in Malaysia's agricultural industry. Ahmad Zahid noted that tahfiz students who complete memorisation and hold qualifications in Malay Language and History will receive the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 4, equivalent to a diploma. This initiative aims to open new career paths for tahfiz graduates in various professional sectors.
Ahmad Zahid also announced that the National TVET Day 2026 will take place from June 5 to 7 at Dataran Putrajaya, bringing together TVET institutions, industry players, and the community to showcase educational and career opportunities while enhancing industry and international cooperation in the TVET ecosystem.
The council set a new target of 70 per cent participation of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates in TVET by the end of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). The participation rate reached 53.9 per cent by December 2025, indicating positive progress. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that this target aligns with the national development direction, which increasingly prioritizes skills and technology as drivers of economic growth.
He concluded that TVET will continue to serve as the primary pathway for producing a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting Malaysia's economic development.