A new interim committee will govern Malaysia’s TVET big data, enabling data-driven policy for workforce planning and course coordination
PUTRAJAYA: The National TVET Council has approved the formation of an interim committee to lead the national TVET Big Data initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the committee will serve as a more authoritative and sustainable national coordination body.
Its formation follows the successful consolidation of data from 12 ministries into a single national TVET reference database under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“Through this committee, the governance of data collection, updates, and sharing will be executed in a more systematic, integrated manner,” Ahmad Zahid stated.
He explained this will enable data-driven decision-making for TVET planning, labour market projections, and curriculum development.
The committee will also ensure continuity for the second phase of development under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
This next phase will focus on building a national TVET analytics system to improve monitoring and outcomes.
The council meeting also acknowledged the success of the TVET Tahfiz programme, now strengthened through the Hi-TVET initiative.
The programme is a collaboration between polytechnic departments, agencies, industry, and Islamic educational institutions.
It has enhanced employability, evidenced by a win at WorldSkills ASEAN 2025 and expanded techno-huffaz initiatives.
Continuous support is secured with an allocation including RM5 million for 2025.
Ahmad Zahid highlighted the significant impact of the Malaysian Prison TVET programme on inmate rehabilitation.
Over 19,000 inmates have been trained since the programme began in 2012.
“TVET’s role as a powerful instrument for social empowerment” is demonstrated by this success, he added.
GiatMARA’s TVET Tahfiz and Gig Industry Worker programmes have also exceeded participation targets.
These initiatives have increased participants’ income and expanded access via mobile training units.
They are projected to benefit over 11,000 participants by 2027.
The outcomes affirm the government’s commitment to elevating TVET as a cross-ministerial national agenda.
An integrated, data-driven approach will reinforce the national TVET ecosystem, Ahmad Zahid concluded.
This aims to cultivate a skilled workforce for Malaysia’s advanced, skill-based economy. – Bernama
