SHANGHAI, El Sky News – Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector continues to advance internationally as the country secures 2,500 new placements for training programs in China next year. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, reaffirming Malaysia’s strong commitment to producing globally competitive skilled talent.
Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Chairman of the National TVET Council, revealed that this increase follows the success of previous initiatives which saw 5,125 Malaysian youths undergo training at leading Chinese institutions and industries last year.
“This expansion follows the remarkable outcomes of earlier programs. We are very pleased with the commitment shown by Chinese industrial partners investing in Malaysia who have hired our trainees. Data indicates that employability among TVET graduates trained in China is outstanding, achieving a 100 percent employment rate,” he said during a press conference after officiating the 2nd Malaysia-China International TVET and Industry Education Cooperation Forum in Shanghai today.
Strategic Sectors and Reducing Reliance on Foreign Labour
This collaboration goes beyond student exchanges — it represents a long-term national strategy to reduce Malaysia’s dependency on foreign labour. With more Malaysian youths excelling in TVET fields, the nation aims to build a sustainable and highly skilled local workforce.
“I believe that within the next 15 years, God willing, our reliance on foreign workers can be significantly minimized,” said Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid.
The short-term training programs, ranging from one to six months, will cover three key strategic sectors:
- Rail Transit
- E-Commerce and Logistics
- Cybersecurity
The initiative, worth RM12.5 million, is expected to benefit 2,500 skilled Malaysian youths through train-and-place programs in China.
New Semiconductor Training Hub
In a move to keep Malaysia relevant in the high-tech industry, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid also officiated the launch of the Guangqi Institute in Shanghai, which will serve as a joint Malaysia-China training hub focusing on critical areas such as semiconductors and advanced electronics.
Through this hub, 500 participants, including students, instructors, and industry professionals, will undergo specialized training valued at RM10 million. This strategic initiative aims to ensure that Malaysia’s skilled workforce is ready to support the rapid growth of the local semiconductor industry, especially amid rising Chinese investments in the country.
The strengthened Malaysia-China TVET partnership underscores the government’s determination to enhance the quality of technical and vocational education, paving the way for Malaysian youth to secure promising and competitive careers on the global stage.
