KUCHING: The rate of marketability for community colleges has increased to 96.5 per cent and this shows the courses offered in the colleges are marketable in various industries.

In stating this, Deputy Director General (Governance) of the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Mohammad Amin Hamat added, “This shows that the community colleges are of the same quality as other institutions in Malaysia.

“The only difference is that graduates of community colleges have different professional skills needed by industries such as electronic mechanical technology, fashion designing and culinary arts.”

Amin was speaking at the Sarawak Community College Convocation Ceremony at Kuching Polytechnic here yesterday.

He urged everyone not to look down on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses.

“Parents especially should not ignore these courses because they are also contributing to the economic development of Malaysia.

“The world is getting more advanced and challenging. Involvement in skills industries like TVET can help us face challenges brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he pointed out.

Amin further explained that students in Sarawak should grab the opportunity to further their studies at Community College Kuching because it had the Maker Market initiative which also contributed to the marketability upon graduates.

The Maker Market initiative, launched by Education Minister Maszlee Malik, aims to strengthen the development and enhancement of the quality of Community College education to make the community ready in facing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Sarawak Community College Convocation Ceremony yesterday was attended by 470 graduates from Kuching Community College and the Community Colleges from Santubong, Mas Gading, Sarikei, Betong, Miri and Rompin.

Also present were directors of community colleges in the state.