IPOH, Sept 17 — The Perak state government is paying specific attention to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in order to produce a highly skilled and marketable workforce.

State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said this is in line with the 2030 Perak Sejahtera Plan aimed at making the state Malaysia’s TVET hub and turning Pusat Aspirasi Anak Perak (Pasak) into a lead agency under the Perak State TVET Council.

"One of the state government’s initiatives through Pasak is empowering the School Career Club to provide early exposure to students on choosing their education and career path, particularly in TVET.

"Students will be exposed to career guidance briefings to help them chart a career path after completing school, short-term TVET courses and visits to institutions and industries,” he said at the launch of the Perak TVET carnival and School Career Club, here today.

Sivanesan said the School Career Club will first implement a pilot project involving Career Guidance clubs from 15 schools within the state, in collaboration with Pasak and the state Education Department.

"The project will then be extended to more schools from all the districts,” he said.

He said TVET graduates are now in great demand and recognised by numerous accreditation bodies as well as highly regarded by employers.

As a rapidly developing country, Malaysia needs skilled TVET graduates to fill the industrial demand, he added.

"An increase in the skilled workforce can also reduce the dependency on foreign labour and enhance the economic status and standard of living of the local community,” he said. — Bernama