SHANGHAI, Nov 7 — Malaysia has secured 2,500 new placements for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in China next year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that last year, 5,125 places were offered to Malaysian youths to undergo TVET training at leading institutions and industries in China.
“This increase was made following the success of previous programmes. These courses are short term, lasting between one and six months.
“Last year, we initially received 2,500 placements, but the number rose to 5,125. For this year, we also expect the number to increase to as many as 5,000,” he told reporters after officiating at the 2nd Malaysia-China International Industry-TVET Education Cooperation Forum and the 4th Malaysia-China Vocational Education Fair here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister and National TVET Council chairman, said the employability rate of Malaysian TVET graduates who underwent training in China was 100 per cent.
He said Chinese companies investing in Malaysia have been committed to hiring China-trained graduates, while data shows that 54.7 per cent of school leavers have shown strong interest in pursuing TVET fields.
He said this development would also help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign workers.
“I believe that within 15 years at the latest, insya-Allah, we can minimise this dependence,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the forum and exhibition, Ahmad Zahid also launched the Guangqi Institute as a joint training hub focusing on the semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors.
He said that through this institute, 500 participants, including students, instructors and industry workers, will undergo training worth RM10 million for between one and six months.
He also welcomed the implementation of the SIYUAN Skill Advancement and Employment Programme (SAEP), which will involve 2,500 skilled Malaysian youths taking part in a RM12.5 million “Train and Place” programme in China.
The training will cover three strategic sectors — transit rail, e-commerce and logistics, and cybersecurity — with participants having the opportunity for job placements with Chinese companies operating in Malaysia.
The Deputy Prime Minister also launched the Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance (MC-IEA), which strengthens institutional and industrial cooperation between the two countries through a “Train-Intern-Job Placement” approach. The value of co-funding for training equipment under this initiative amounts to RM10 million, involving 15 Chinese TVET institutions.
Among the participating sectors are rail transit by China Railway State Asset Management Co Ltd, e-commerce and logistics by SF Express, and cybersecurity by Hangzhou Anheng Information Technology Co Ltd. Other companies involved include Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Isoftstone Information Technology (Group) Co Ltd.
Ahmad Zahid also announced the National Association of Skilled Workers (BELIA MAHIR) as the official strategic partner of the China Global Professional and Technical Certification Centre (CGPTC) in Malaysia.
CGPTC is an international certification body based in China that recognises the professional and technical qualifications of individuals and training institutions worldwide, based on globally recognised Chinese industry standards.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the collaboration will enable the implementation of dual certification pathways and accreditation of Malaysian trainers according to Chinese industry standards.
“The target for 2026 is to produce 2,000 skilled Malaysians recognised with Chinese professional certification.
“As part of the ongoing cooperation, both countries have also agreed to establish the Malaysia-China Satellite Training Programme involving 10 Chinese TVET institutions and three Malaysian institutions, including Kolej TVET Belia Mahir, Pure Technic Skills College and MCITVET,” he said.
The programme introduces the concept of dual-campus learning, where students undertake theoretical studies in Malaysia and practical training in China in fields such as electric vehicles, mechatronics, artificial intelligence and e-commerce.
Ahmad Zahid also welcomed the plan by TANG International Education Group and Chinese TVET institutions to hold a China TVET Exhibition in conjunction with Malaysia’s National TVET Day 2026 celebrations, as a platform for knowledge, technology and innovation exchange between the two countries.
He also invited professors and instructors from TVET and higher education institutions to participate in the event.
“Hopefully, these efforts will ensure that all Malaysia-China initiatives continue and make a significant impact on the country’s human capital development,” he said. — Bernama
