PUTRAJAYA: The government will address the issue of talent mismatch in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.

To do this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said certain Malaysian corporations will be allowed to make procurements when handling the TVET programme in the related states.

"This is part of the plan (to address the issue). The cabinet committee chaired by Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will identify some of these private companies to address this mismatch issue, or (to identify ) industries that do not require practical training.

"For example, Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) will be handling TVET in Pengerang, Johor, to train and use their expertise in training the students in meeting the industry's expectations.

"This is a big decision where we have asked for immediate action to be taken. We will explain further details in the 2023 Budget, which will be tabled on Feb 24," Anwar told a press conference after the cabinet meeting today.

He added that DRB-Hicom Bhd, for example, would take over the programme in Pekan to meet the automotive industry's needs, Berjaya Corporation Bhd in the hotel and tourism industry, and Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary's companies will handle the services industry.

"The TVET allocation was RM6.7 billion during the previous 2023 Budget and it comprises several ministries such as the Higher Education, Education and Human Resources.

"It also involves several agencies, 500 public skills training institutions (ILKA) and 250,000 trainees and students.

"Hence, I propose that immediate action is taken to address the talent mismatching issue," he said.

Last October, the government targeted 55 per cent of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers to continue their studies in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Former Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said RM6.7 billion would be allocated to seven related ministries to carry out initiatives through the TVET Council.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/875824/pm-corporations-do-procurement-tvet-programmes-certain-states