More than 12,000 TVET Sarawak graduates accepted job offers

MIRI, 19 Sept: The placement of graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Sarawak increased from 7,890 people in 2013 to over 12,800 for the period 2020 to 2025.

Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development Sarawak, Dato Dr. Ripin Lamat said the developments show that technical skills continue to hold a prominent place in the job market.

According to him, Ministry of Higher Education data for the period 2020 to 2025 also recorded TVET graduate employment rate of 95.9 per cent, with 54,893 out of 57,244 graduates in the labour market being recorded employed.

"These figures carry a clear message that technical skills have an important place in today's job market.

"But we also need to look ahead as technology changes rapidly, business models change and industry needs change", he said while addressing the Cooperative Youth Science Speech Program, at the National Institute of Youth Skills (IKBN), here today.

He added that the advantages of young people are not only in their qualifications or skills, but also in their ability to continue learning, adapt and apply skills in an ever-changing environment.

He added that the experience and skills built through TVET can also be a foundation for entrepreneurship, including through the co-operative sector.

He believes that young people need to see more opportunities than just getting a job, especially in the wake of technological developments and artificial intelligence (AI) which are also changing labour demands.

"Don't just focus on getting good jobs in the private sector or in the government sector because these job opportunities are so limited right now.

"Among the sectors that can provide high returns and opportunities for faster economic growth are the business sector and among them is the cooperative sector", he added.

He also encouraged young people to explore various fields including agriculture, farming, industry, transport and retail based on their skills and interests.

He explained the role of the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMA), Malaysia Cooperative Commission (SKM) and Miri National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in raising youth awareness about entrepreneurial opportunities through cooperatives. - TVS