MARA TVET Institutions Achieve 99.5% Employability Rate as Malaysia Accelerates Skills Development Agenda
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector continues to record remarkable success, with 270 TVET institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) achieving an impressive 99.5% employability rate, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced on Saturday.
Speaking at the National TVET Day celebration, Ahmad Zahid said the achievement reflects the increasing confidence of industry players in TVET graduates and highlights the effectiveness of training programmes offered by MARA institutions.
He noted that the overall employability rate of TVET graduates nationwide has also increased significantly to 98.7%, compared to 96.1% previously, underscoring the success of efforts to align skills training with industry requirements.
“This achievement demonstrates the strong collaboration between the government and industry in producing highly skilled graduates who meet current labour market demands,” he said.
According to Ahmad Zahid, many companies have entered into agreements with TVET institutions and the National TVET Council to directly recruit graduates upon completing their studies. Some employers are offering starting salaries of RM2,500 or more, reflecting the growing value of technical and vocational qualifications in Malaysia’s economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that TVET remains a key pillar of the nation’s workforce development strategy, particularly as Malaysia seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in emerging and high-growth industries.
He added that the government will further enhance the sector through the implementation of TVET 2.0, a new initiative designed to prepare future talent for advanced industries. The programme will place greater emphasis on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and renewable energy.
TVET 2.0 will also focus on addressing skills mismatches, improving industry participation, and expanding employment opportunities in sectors expected to drive Malaysia’s future economic growth.
With employability rates reaching record levels and industry demand continuing to rise, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia’s TVET ecosystem is increasingly becoming a preferred pathway for young people seeking rewarding and sustainable careers in the modern workforce.