Bukit mertajam: Graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are urged to venture into entrepreneurship to capitalise on high-value economic opportunities, as well as to produce more skilled entrepreneurs who can contribute to the country's development. Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) secretary-general Datuk Rahimi Ismail emphasised that TVET not only provides job opportunities with salaries but also opens up vast spaces for graduates to build their own businesses based on skills and technology.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Rahimi highlighted the success stories of TVET alumni, including those from the National Youth Skills Institute (IKTBN), who have become successful entrepreneurs with some achieving incomes of up to half a million ringgit per month. He encouraged students graduating from IKTBN and other TVET institutions to engage in the entrepreneurship sector due to its high potential and the numerous economic opportunities still available for local youths.
Rahimi also pointed out the government's commitment to prioritising TVET as part of the national development agenda, with an allocation of RM7.9 billion this year to 12 ministries and agencies related to TVET. This investment aims to strengthen the ecosystem of education and skills training, supported by closer cooperation between training institutions and the industry to ensure the development of talent that aligns with job market needs. With a high employability rate, about 97 per cent of TVET graduates successfully obtain jobs.
The government is also focusing on the development of future technologies such as renewable energy, solar energy, electric vehicles (EVs), automation, and robotics, which are expected to become key economic drivers. Malaysia requires more skilled workforce in these fields to support its aspiration to become a technology producer and a competitive EV industry hub in the Southeast Asian region.
Rahimi remarked that the Youth Robot Challenge 2026 (YRoboC '26) has become a crucial platform for nurturing highly skilled young talents and fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and invention in robotics. The competition, which began in 2018, has gathered 882 teams, with this year's edition seeing participation from 163 teams, including international participants from India.
Looking ahead, the KBS aims for broader international participation in the 2027 edition, particularly from Europe and China, and plans to expand the software robot category to further strengthen the culture of innovation and technology transfer. The recent competition featured five categories: 3KG Autonomous, 5KG Tower Conquer, Soccer Robot, 8KG Rumble, and 16KG Multibot.
Additionally, the launch of the IKTBN Bukit Mertajam Solar Programme was announced as a training centre for the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) Installer course, offering competency certification. Accredited by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), IKTBN Bukit Mertajam has commenced its first student intake for the Solar Installation Electrical Technology Certificate Programme in session 1/2026, with a second intake scheduled for this month.