Demand For Polytechnic Placements Rises, Exceeds Capacity - JPPKK DG

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Demand for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) at polytechnics has risen significantly this year, with more than 32,000 students turning up to pursue their studies against a capacity of about 24,000 places.

Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) director-general Dr Shamsuri Abdullah said the excess of more than 8,000 students reflected growing interest in skills-based and technical education pathways.

“What surprised us this year, especially at polytechnics, was that student turnout was beyond our expectations. It was about 8,000 more than expected, showing that demand is increasing,” he told Bernama when met at the Malaysia-Central Asia Higher Education Forum (MAHEF) 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan, recently.

He said about 114,000 students were currently pursuing their studies at 36 polytechnics and 106 community colleges nationwide, with around 96,000 to 97,000 of them enrolled at polytechnics.

Shamsuri said one of the measures to widen access to TVET was to allow Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders who were not from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) streams to enrol in technology and engineering programmes.

Shamsuri said that, for electrical and electronic programmes, for example, discussions with the Board of Engineers Malaysia had led to the relaxation of certain entry requirements, allowing students to obtain a pass instead of a credit in Mathematics, provided they took and passed a remedial Mathematics course in their first semester.

The move saw enrolment in related programmes increase from about 1,000 students previously to more than 5,000 this year.

“This proves that SPM holders are not uninterested, but rather that they do not meet the entry requirements. We have successfully provided a second chance for those who are not from STEM streams to pursue technology and engineering programmes,” he said.

Apart from electrical and electronic fields, Diploma in Accounting, Business Studies, Culinary, Hospitality, Tourism and Logistics programmes also recorded high demand.

Meanwhile, JPPKK is introducing the Professional and Technical Education (PTE) approach to take TVET to a new dimension, in line with technological developments and future job requirements.

Shamsuri said the PTE approach emphasised emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as professional certifications and additional industry-recognised competencies.

“TVET is often perceived as involving only craftsmanship, but with the emergence of technologies such as AI and IoT, learning is no longer just about hands-on practice; it also requires minds-on thinking. We want to reposition polytechnics and community colleges as PTE institutions,” he said.

He said teaching and learning approaches were also being adapted to reflect changes in how younger generations acquired knowledge through videos, digital platforms, generative technology and practical experience.

At the same time, industry exposure continued to be strengthened through industrial training lasting at least six months for certain programmes, as well as work-based learning (WBL).

Shamsuri said polytechnics had also been offering bachelor’s degree programmes at selected institutions since 2013, in addition to certificate and diploma programmes, while community colleges provided lifelong learning opportunities through short courses.

These courses covered skills such as sewing, cooking, computing, AI and technical fields, which could help participants enhance their skills, generate income and expand their employment opportunities.

He said the curriculum was continuously aligned with industry needs through Industry Advisory Committees at programme, institutional and national levels to ensure graduates acquired skills relevant to the job market.

-- BERNAMA