Overseas Training For Instructors Vital For High-tech TVET Rollout - Experts

By Suraidah Roslan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Sending Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) instructors abroad for industry attachment and specialised training should be a top priority to ensure the success of Malaysia’s new high-technology training programmes scheduled to begin in July, according to education experts.

National TVET Council member Prof Dr Ramlee Mustapha said the move is crucial to strengthening the capabilities of local educators, many of whom were trained in traditional technical disciplines.

While welcoming the introduction of emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptology and green technology into the national TVET ecosystem, he said challenges relating to infrastructure and instructor expertise must be addressed through exposure to advanced training systems overseas.

“TVET instructors should undergo attachment programmes in countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan, where strong links between industry and training institutions have long been established.

“Germany’s dual-training model and the AI innovation ecosystem in the United States offer valuable examples that Malaysia can adapt to significantly enhance the capabilities of its educators,” he told Bernama in response to the government’s plans to introduce training programmes in emerging technology fields for selected TVET students from next month.

During the National TVET Day celebration last Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that all government training and research institutions would be required to offer programmes in new technology areas beginning in July.

Ramlee said one of the biggest challenges facing the sector is the shortage of instructors with expertise in machine learning, industrial automation, big data analytics and green engineering systems.

Without continuous professional development through international collaboration and industry certification, he warned, educators may struggle to effectively deliver future-oriented curricula.

“Investment in developing instructor competencies is essential if the TVET MADANI agenda is to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of competing globally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the dean of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hasril Amiruddin, said the development of competent instructors must go hand in hand with the design of training modules.

Given the varying levels of readiness among institutions, he said implementation should be phased, with emphasis placed on curriculum development, instructor expertise and adequate learning facilities.

In fact, he said that strategic collaboration with industry players must be further strengthened to ensure curricula and training programmes remain aligned with rapid technological advances and evolving labour market demands.

Mohd Hasril said the government’s initiative reflects a strong commitment to accelerating the transformation of the national TVET ecosystem, which has significant potential to produce the skilled workforce needed to drive economic growth and support strategic industries.

“The focus on TVET 2.0 is in line with national needs in high-impact sectors, including smart agriculture, food security, automation, digitalisation and other emerging technologies that can strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness,” he added.

-- BERNAMA