Kuala Lumpur: Applications for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme under UP_TVET Perdana for the July 2025 intake will be open from April 14 to June 15, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, stated that this initiative aims to provide opportunities for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders and other individuals interested in acquiring skills relevant to the industry.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Prime Minister urged all members of society to take advantage of this opportunity and consider TVET as a primary career choice. He highlighted that TVET not only opens doors to various job opportunities but also produces a more competitive workforce in the global market.
Since 2023, the government has introduced a single application channel through the TVET Admission Unit (UP_TVET) portal to streamline enrolment into TVET institutions. This system offers greater flexibility, catering to individual needs and interests under two categories. Ahmad Zahid explained that UP_TVET Perdana offers full-time TVET programmes at Public Skills Training Institutions (ILKA), with applications open twice a year for January and July intakes.
On the other hand, UP_TVET Flexi provides long- and short-term courses that are more flexible and open to individuals seeking to upskill or switch careers, with applications available year-round. According to Ahmad Zahid, there are currently 1,398 TVET institutions nationwide, comprising 673 public TVET institutions, 697 private institutions and 28 institutions under state governments.
He mentioned that this extensive and dynamic TVET ecosystem offers skills programmes aligned with industry needs and current economic developments. He emphasised that in the era of digital economy and rapid industrial growth, TVET plays a vital role in developing a highly skilled workforce, particularly in strategic sectors such as automation, green technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
‘TVET graduates not only gain access to broader job opportunities but also have the opportunity to contribute to national innovation and progress,’ he added.