KUCHING: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students at tertiary institutions need to acquire three major skills to be ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0). Civil Defence Malaysia (APM) commisioner Datuk Roslan Wahab opined that lifelong learning, analytical, and soft skills through volunteerism, will help TVET students to be job-ready and skilled for roles in their respective industry.
“Volunteerism programmes serve as an avenue to enhance communication skills and produce holistic growth among students. “Participating in volunteerism programmes such as helping victims of natural disasters can maximise impact and improve the wellbeing and overall learning experience of students,” he said during the third session of the 27th Politeknik Kuching Sarawak Convocation ceremony at its campus in Matang near here yesterday.
Therefore, to stay competitive, he said industries have no choice but to embrace intelligent production and include more IR 4.0 elements in their operations. “I believe such strategic initiatives could continue to improve institutional capabilities and TVET system to remain competitive and meet market expectations,” he added.
Recognising the value of providing contributions voluntarily to expand human development, Roslan also called students to partake in the Malaysian Defence Forces Volunteers programme and uniformed bodies, including Relasis, Askar Wataniah or Pispa (Apam). “Early exposure to volunteerism programme enables students to inculcate positive attitude and enhance communications when assisting and providing support for the community,” he said. The third session saw 276 diploma graduates from the Mechanical Engineering Department.
