Kuala Lumpur:The RM8 billion allocation for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under Budget 2027 is viewed as a progressive move, according to Associate Professor Dr. Yasir Mohd Mustafah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Yasir emphasized that this allocation is designed to combine skills development with direct social benefits, specifically targeting tahfiz students and other-rank personnel of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) who have completed their service. The initiative aims to bolster the TVET sector and stimulate the country's economic growth.
Dr. Yasir, a Mechatronics Engineering lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), noted that this focus has the potential to enhance workforce employability and improve social mobility, contingent upon the effective utilization of opportunities post-training. He explained that tahfiz students would be given options to explore TVET, contributing to the nation in this sector, while MAF personnel, often seen driving taxis or working for services like Grab post-retirement, could refine their skills further through these opportunities.
The allocation includes provisions for short courses for tahfiz students at Community Colleges, providing pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and higher education. Additionally, MAF personnel will gain access to skills training through collaborations with institutions like the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology and the Malaysian Maritime Academy.
Dr. Yasir urged the government to monitor the distribution of funds or introduce key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the initiative's effectiveness. He stressed the importance of establishing KPIs based on outcomes, such as job placements, rather than solely on the number of training sessions conducted.
During the recent tabling of Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM8 billion cross-ministerial allocation for TVET, which includes RM3 billion earmarked for the Human Resource Development Corporation. This funding is set to provide three million skills training opportunities, including continuous professional development for various professionals.