KUCHING: The state government is confident of getting 60 per cent of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers to enrol in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses.
Urban Development and Resources Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh stated this at a press conference yesterday at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“As mentioned by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg a few days ago, upskilling students and workers will allow them to keep up with the latest development in digital technology.
“There are about 40,000 SPM leavers in the state annually and out of that number, 10,000 to 15,000 of them will proceed into the academic line such as matriculation and Form Six,” he said.
Len revealed that of the remaining students, only 20 to 30 per cent would go into technical and vocational training. In developed countries like Germany, 50 to 60 per cent of the students would take up technical and vocational training.
“We want Sarawak to achieve that as well by having 60 per cent of our students opting for technical and vocational training,” he said.
“The Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry has been set up to undertake a comprehensive and focused approach in training the people, and it is quite confident of achieving this.”
Len pointed out that it was important for those not interested in pursuing conventional academics to be offered alternative courses.
“We are fortunate that the state government has entrusted Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (Tegas) to develop innovation hubs across the state.
“Each division will have one hub and with the completion of the digital village by early next year, students will be given the opportunity to undertake studies in the fields they are interested in.
“According to the contract, the digital village is scheduled to be ready by July next year but we are ahead of schedule and trying to get it ready by May next year,” he said.
