Kota kinabalu: The Sabah government has expressed full support for initiatives aimed at bolstering the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem. These efforts are designed to ensure that the youth of Sabah remain competitive in the job market, breaking free from the cycle of unemployment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor highlighted the significant shift in the state’s approach to TVET with the establishment of the Sabah TVET Council in May. This development represents a crucial change in the TVET landscape, positioning it as a mainstream educational pathway rather than merely an option. The Chief Minister emphasized that TVET empowers individuals by providing technical skills, creating job opportunities, and acting as a catalyst for the state’s economic growth.
Hajiji underscored the importance of technical and vocational skills, noting their role as the backbone of Sabah’s development. This is particularly pertinent given the state’s potential in sectors such as natural resources, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. He called on the youth to consider TVET as a primary choice in their career planning, highlighting its potential to produce future professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The Chief Minister also pointed out the alignment of TVET courses with current job market demands, which ensures the employability of graduates. He stressed that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and digitalization, skills in technical fields, automation, and artificial intelligence have become indispensable.
Hajiji noted the state government’s commitment to human capital development, reflected in various initiatives and strategic investments. Sabah’s unemployment rate has decreased from 8.2% in 2021 to 7.5% in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of these efforts. However, challenges remain, as data from the Department of Statistics indicates that youth aged 15 to 24 account for 58.6% of the state’s unemployed, with 55.8% possessing only secondary school qualifications.
The symposium, themed ‘Sustainable TVET for the Future of Sabah’s Human Capital: An Integrated TVET Ecosystem’, is seen as crucial to addressing these challenges. Hajiji expressed hope that the event would enhance collaboration between educational institutions and industry players to better meet the state’s needs.