SUNGAI SIPUT: The Human Resources Ministry is planning to have an in-situ Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme in Orang Asli settlements.

Minister V. Sivakumar today said this would attract the Orange Asli to take part in the TVET programme as the government was targeting a 35 per cent increase in this sector's workforce by 2030.

In addition to the in-situ programme, Sivakumar said the ministry was also considering a plan to introduce modular courses since it took less time to complete the programme compared with syllabus-based teaching.

"Not all courses can be done in-situ even though we do intend to implement them.

"Orang Asli children do not need to travel far to learn skills. We will instead take the courses to their settlements.

"For example, in this area, there is an Orang Asli One-Stop Centre, which can be used to teach TVET skills."

He said this after attending a TVET programme at a centre here today.

On the modular course, he added that it appeared to be more in demand because the duration was shorter.

"For modular courses, in just two months, the Orang Asli can learn and master something and work.

"And after finishing (the course), they can increase their skills by following other modules (course),"

He added that the TVET programme for the Orang Asli was not new.

He, however, said several former TVET programmes for the Orang Asli could be seen as not achieving the desired goals and could even be considered a failure.

"There are many programmes carried out by the ministry with agencies related to the Orang Asli, such as the Orang Asli Development Department, that are successful, but we also have to look at our failures.

"We are trying to improve this programme's achievement level. We are looking for the best method, one of which is to take the TVET programme to settlements, apart from through modular courses."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/916236/hr-ministry-have-tvet-programmes-modular-courses-orang-asli-settlements