(From third left) Teo, Fadillah, John and others posing with students in a photo call.
SIBU: Technical vocational education and training (TVET) can be a way forward for the future, making the country a solution provider, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“As it is now, we are still a consumer as not many of the younger generation are going into the TVET.
“But in developed countries like Germany about 60 per cent of their graduates are from TVET field.
“So, TVET is the future,” Fadillah re-emphasised when officiating at the exhibition on TVET at SMK Sacred Heart here Friday, which was participated by 21 institutions. Riam Tech principal John Wong was also present at the function.
Calling on parents not to perceive TVET as a second class education, Fadillah said there is good demand for skilled workers, citing the Pan Borneo Highway as an example where technical expertise is required.
He said phase one of the project alone costs about RM16 billion.
With SCORE coming up, more employment opportunities would be created, he added.
He said there were about 113,000 taking up TVET in 2010 and then the number increased to some 164,000, and that is still not enough to meet the demand for skilled workers.
Citing an example in which the need for technological skills are needed, he said innovative solutions in the forms of new process, methodology or materials should be found to reduce the construction cost and to improve their quality of roads built on peat soil.
Meanwhile, SMK Sacred Heart principal David Teo who also spoke advised parents not to see TVET in the negative light.
He said about 60 per cent are academically inclined and thus the 40 per cent will have to move on in the technical field.
“TVET provides various programmes which enable students to become semi-professional in a range of technical and vocational fields,” he said.
The 21 participants of the exhibition were Giatmara Sibu, Kolej Komuniti Betong, Politeknik Mukah, Pusat Perkembangan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS), Angelnny Beauty & Make UP Academy Sdn Bhd, Asia Commerce Institut, Danny Hair Academy, Fajar International College, Houng Seng Motor Sdn Bhd, Institusi Teknikal Baiduri, JD Academy, Kolej ITA, Kolej i-System, Pavillion Integration Sdn Bhd, RIAM Institute of Technology, Rimbunan Hijau Academy, Sarawak Maritime Academy, Sastra Maritime Academy, The Best Electronic Sdn Bhd and The Point Academy.