by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by TMR FILE

THE qualification and reputation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) staff should be further enhanced to remove the stigma among the community.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan (picture) said this was important as TVET is now considered as the second education option for many Malaysian students.

As such, Saravanan said the academic qualification of TVET teaching staff of vocational diploma should be raised to the minimum of a Bachelor’s degree so they could be placed at Public Skills Training Institutions as proposed by the Public Service Department.

“The process of empowering TVET requires the synergy of competent and quality teaching staff to determine the success of the training system being implemented.

“Therefore, it is very important for TVET teaching staff to continuously empower themselves with the latest technical and teaching skills,” he noted.

Saravanan’s speech was delivered by Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Awang Hashim who represented the minister during the launch of the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) in Shah Alam, Selangor yesterday.

CIAST was recognised as the centre of excellence for TVET instructors aiming to pioneer and foster the development of highquality instructors in the field.

The recognition at the national level was also strengthened with the development of the TVET Instructor e-Profiling System which systematically analyses the competency gap of instructors.

According to Saravanan, the ministry through CIAST has consistently upheld the mission of developing world standard teaching staff who are competent, disciplined and responsive to change with the environment and technology.

He added that in fact, the recognition of CIAST as the centre of excellence for TVET instructors clearly proves the importance of the training centre as the sole leader in developing and empowering TVET teaching staff in the country.

Additionally, Saravanan said CIAST has also been mandated to coordinate the Energy Expertise and Professionalism Development programme for TVET instructors across the 10 ministries that are in charge of implementing the TVET education.

“CIAST has successfully trained over 230,000 instructors in training courses, advanced skills training for skills instructors, supervisors and industry coaches, as well as employees from the public and private sectors since its inception in 1983,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Saravanan also highlighted that the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 recognises TVET as one of the enablers to contribute towards the formation of a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable developing nation.

He said by 2030, the government is targeting a 35% increase in the employment of high-skilled jobs in future economic sectors and 60% of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates entering the TVET stream.