KUANTAN: The newly established Pahang Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council aimed to attract Felda youths to pursue TVET education.
Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, said the council, which focused on coordinating the state’s TVET education ecosystem, was targeting second- and third-generation Felda settlers to further their studies in the TVET field.
“This is to ensure that the younger generation in Felda schemes does not rely solely on rubber and oil palm, but instead explores new courses in line with current market needs. They can build their own skills and capabilities, ensuring better job security for the future.
“We want Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia leavers to stop viewing TVET as a second choice and to change their mindset. Those equipped with technical skills can earn high income, sometimes up to RM15,000,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Pahang State Assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang today.
Wan Rosdy was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mustapa Long (BN–Padang Tengku) on measures taken by the state government to attract more youths to join TVET programmes, as participation rates currently remained low.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the Pahang Rail Academy (ARP), which provided formal education in the rail industry, had trained more than 6,000 youths.
“The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will require about 50,000 workers when it begins operations in 2027. ARP has sent its students abroad for technical rail-industry training, fully sponsored by the company involved (Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd).
“Upon completing their programmes, they will be absorbed into the workforce and can be immediately deployed on the ground in the event of any emergencies once ECRL operations begin,” he said.
The ECRL project is one of Malaysia’s largest transport infrastructure initiatives to connect the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
The project, spanning Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, is scheduled for completion in Dec 2026.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
