Two TVET Talents Win Tangan Emas Perdana Menteri 2026 Award

MELAKA, Nov 5 (Bernama) – Two talents in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) have been named recipients of the 2026 Prime Minister’s Golden Hand Award (MATEPM) in recognition of their outstanding mastery of the highest-level skills in their respective fields.

Mohd Raimi Masrom, an instructor at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) Taiping Campus, won the top award in the WorldSkills Malaysia Instructor (WSMP) category for his expertise in mechatronics.

In the WorldSkills Malaysia Youth (WSMB) category, the prestigious award went to GiatMARA Jengka trainee Arissa Nabiha Nor Hisham, who demonstrated exceptional skills in automotive spray painting.

The awards were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the MATEPM 2026 grand finale held at the Chancellor Hall of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) here today.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan, who also attended the ceremony, said this year's MATEPM attracted 1,787 participants at the pre-qualification stage, before the 493 best contestants advanced to the finals, competing across 58 skill areas.

He said the organisation of the awards, together with other TVET skills competitions, demonstrated that the field was no longer merely an alternative education pathway but had become a strategic national agenda for producing highly competitive human capital.

Ramanan said skills training institutions under Human Resources Ministry’s (KESUMA) human resource department, including Advanced Technology Colleges (ADTEC), continued to record excellent performance, with graduate employability reaching 98 per cent and employer satisfaction standing at 97.5 per cent.

"This reflects TVET's ability to produce skilled workers who meet industry requirements. Therefore, under the MADANI Budget 2027, presented on Oct 9, the Prime Minister announced the largest-ever allocation of RM8 billion for TVET development across ministries," he said in his speech at the event.

Ramanan said that of the total allocation, RM3 billion had been channelled through HRD Corp to provide three million skills training opportunities, while RM500 million was allocated through the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) to finance trainees at public and private institutions.

"We want graduates to possess practical skills, secure good jobs and receive incomes commensurate with their respective abilities. That is why KESUMA welcomes the announcement of a RM2,500 starting salary for semi-skilled jobs and graduates under Budget 2027.

"This measure ensures that workers' skills and qualifications are appropriately recognised. The framework covers Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations (MASCO) categories 1 to 8, including professional, technical, clerical, service, sales, agricultural, craft and machine-operating occupations," he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

-- BERNAMA