KUCHING: Sixty per cent of the estimated 3.3 million new jobs created under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) are skills-related, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem.
As such, he said more Malaysians should take up courses related to technology and vocational education training (Tvet) to meet the rising demand.
“So you can imagine in the years to come, Tvet is key towards propelling Malaysia to achieve its developed nation status.
“The Prime Minister has also set aside a large fund of RM4.9 billion for the empowerment of Tvet in the country,” he said before Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg closed the WorldSkills Malaysia Sarawak (WMS) 2017 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here yesterday.
Riot pointed out that Tvet is also an aspect “that is close to the chief minister’s heart”.
He noted that this was also a reason why Abang Johari’s administration had a new ministry – Education, Science and Technological Research.
According to Riot, the WMS was held for the first time in Sarawak.
He was also delighted that Sarawakians made up the Malaysian contingent at the regional and international WorldSkills.
“Malaysia has been taking part in the WorldSkills since the inaugural competition took place in Taipei. We have not got any medals until 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil where Malaysia won its first bronze medal,” he said.
He added that Sarawak sent five participants to the 2015 WorldSkills, three of whom brought home medals of excellence.
“In 2011, Sarawak also sent two participants to be part of the Malaysian contingent. Of the two, one got medallion of excellence,” he said, adding that the same was achieved at the 2009 WorldSkills.
Riot regretted that Sarawak did not send any representative to compete in this year’s WorldSkills held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
He said he had seen the results of the three-day WMS 2017 and believed that the state would be able to send participants to shine in the WorldSkills to be held in Russia in 2019.
Besides that, he hoped that the state could also send participants to compete in the Asean Skills Competition hosted by Bangkok next year.