Malaysia is one of the fastest growing modern countries in the world that has successfully achieved a balance between industrial growth and traditional values and is poised to become a fully developed nation by the year 2020. By 2020, up to an additional 3.3 million jobs will be created, of which 1.3 million will be Technical and Vocational Education Training (TEVT)-related. However, based on historical trends, it may be challenging for the current TEVT sector to meet the demands of a high-income economy. Malaysia aspires to move up the value chain to become a high-income economy, with a GNI per capita of approximately USD 15,000 by 2020. To move up the value chain to become a high-income economy, skilled workforce is vital in achieving this goal. As a result, it is important to increase the enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) and raise the overall training quality
In the midst of transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy (k-economy), Malaysia, being a developing country, believes that building a knowledge-based workforce is imperative, particularly in the manufacturing sector. This is because manufacturing accounts for one third of the GDP and more than 70 percent of the country’s exports, and contributes significantly towards its economic growth. Out of the total population of 25.8 million, 12 million are in the labour force and 3.5 million are employed in the manufacturing sector (Malaysia, Ministry of Finance, 2008). As a result, training and development (T&D) of human resources in the manufacturing sector is vital in preparing a capable and skilled workforce with the expertise to meet current and future challenges by providing them with technological skills as well as critical thinking abilities.
Issue of skilled workers has become vital and widely debated across the countries. The global changes in technology and particularly in the Malaysian industries have created a major need for skilled workforce and comprehensive training.
Economic and demographic trends have produced a shortage of skilled technicians in manufacturing and industry-related technology threatening the development of new products, quality improvement processes, and a sustained manufacturing sector.
Ahoora Ltd | Management Consultation Group
Hamta Group | Hamta Business Solution Sdn Bhd
For more information you may visit Hamta Academy’s Website as an Advanced Academic and Industrial Training Centre.