Sahran (left) exchanges the MoU documents with a representative of 28 TVET-related industry players, witnessed by Fazzrudin (second left) and Zainuren. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Kolej Vokasional Matang has reached another milestone with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing partnership with 28 local industries and intensifying the development of highly-skilled students.
Education Ministry’s technical education and vocational training (school division) director Zainuren Mohd Nor said the MoU was vital as it encouraged the sharing of expertise and technology between industry players and the college, as well as to promote technical education.
According to him, the government realises the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET)-related skills in order to attain the ‘First World’ country status by 2020.
Statistics have shown a low turnout of students in the country pursuing technical education – constituting only seven per cent out of the total number of students.
However, society now realises the importance of TVET. It is estimated that 1.6 million jobs would be created across all economic corridors throughout the nation by 2020.
“Our country is still far behind in terms of technical education and vocational training compared with other developed countries. One of the factors is the lack of interest among students in technical courses.
“It is hoped that in years to come, more students would opt for technical education and vocational training in order to secure a better future with high salaries,” he said at the MoU signing ceremony between Kolej Vokasional Matang and the 28 TVET-related industries at Yayasan Sarawak auditorium here yesterday.
Moreover, Zainuren disclosed that under the Vocational Education Transformation Plan, the expectation for TVET students would be for 70 per cent of them to become skilled workers, 20 per cent to further their studies, and 10 per cent to become entrepreneurs.
Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Kolej Vokasional Matang director Mohamad Sahran Amin were also present at the function.