Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s arrival is warmly welcomed by guests present.

IPOH, 11 October 2025 – The government has increased the allocation for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector to RM7.9 billion in the 2026 Budget, compared with RM7.5 billion this year, to strengthen the development of a highly skilled workforce that is the backbone of the country's economic growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the increase in allocation proves the government's commitment to elevating TVET as the main driver of national progress as well as the new agenda for Malaysia's economic development based on skills and innovation.

He said this when officiating the TVET@KKDW 2025 Expo Opening Ceremony at the Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC) here.

He added that of the total RM7.9 billion, RM3 billion was channelled to the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to provide training opportunities focused on the high-tech, digital and energy transition sectors.

Meanwhile, the National TVET Council received RM45 million for the implementation of the IPT@Community programme, benefiting 10,000 tahfiz and pondok students via digital and artificial intelligence (AI) training.

A total of RM1.3 billion was allocated to TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to sponsor more than 79,000 trainees nationwide, while RM650 million went to the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) to expand industry-based training.

A total of RM34 million was allocated to the Department of Skills Development (JPK) to strengthen teacher training.

At the same time, the government also approved the construction of a new Vocational College in Sabah, upgrading the training hangar at ADTEC Shah Alam, and building the TVET Marine Teaching Shipyard complex at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) as a maritime training centre.

Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi explained that this investment will strengthen the TVET ecosystem to remain inclusive and responsive to current industry needs.

 “The employability rate of Malaysian TVET graduates now stands at 95.1 per cent, while at vocational colleges it has increased to between 97.6 and 98.7 per cent, resulting from the implementation of the dual-training system that emphasises practical experience in real industry.

“TVET is no longer a second option, it is now a strategic pathway and on par with university academic education. The Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) has now been extended to Level 8, equivalent to a bachelor's, master's and doctorate (PhD) degree,” he said.

Also present were State Rural Development, Plantations, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee Chairman Dato’ Mohd Zolkafly Harun, representing Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, Datuk Rubiah Wang from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), KKDW Secretary-General Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, KKDW Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) Dato’ Abdul Kahar Abdullah, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Halizah Sipun and State Exco Members.

The TVET@KKDW 2025 Expo, which runs for three days from yesterday to tomorrow at ICC Ipoh, brings together eight main agencies and 14 training institutions under KKDW, including MARA, GIATMARA, KEMAS, RISDA, PERDA, KEDA, KETENGAH and FELCRA.

With the theme “Future TVET: Skilled, Innovative, High-Tech”, the expo is expected to attract over 300,000 visitors both physically and virtually, serving as a platform to strengthen TVET branding as the main education and career pathway for the younger generation.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.