Creative practitioners in Malaysia now receive professional diplomas through skills recognition, validating on-set experience for 30,000 industry jobs
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s creative industry is transitioning from informal on-set training to formal skills recognition with professional diplomas.
National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) Chairman Datuk Hans Isaac announced this shift at the Meatech Creative Academy convocation today.
The billion-ringgit sector has created more than 30,000 jobs, making professional certification essential for maintaining competitiveness.
The convocation celebrated 120 graduates, including the first cohort of 50 creative practitioners receiving the Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM).
These diplomas were awarded through the Recognition of Prior Achievements (PPT) programme in collaboration with FINAS.
Qualification areas include film directing coordination, theatre acting and coaching, and video and film production.
Hans said formal recognition through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes provides clearer career pathways.
This benefits industry veterans who previously lacked certification despite extensive experience.
Notable recipients include Esma Danial, Zed Zaidi, Riezman Khuzaimi, Datuk Fizz Fairuz, Zizan Nin and Datuk Afdlin Shauki.
Afdlin Shauki also received the Industry Achievement Award for his creativity and commitment during the PPT evaluation.
Zed Zaidi described the recognition process as challenging, requiring thesis writing and presentations.
“Adapting to academic formats was new, but it is important to recognise the years of experience we have built in the industry,” he said.
Hans said this initiative marks a key step in professionalising Malaysia’s creative workforce.
It opens clearer career pathways and ensures the sector remains competitive in a rapidly growing global market. – Bernama
