SHANGHAI, Sept 23 — Malaysia is positioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the centre of its industrial policy, making it a key instrument of economic transformation to build a highly skilled and well-paid workforce.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the strategy forms a core part of the nation’s push to transition to a high-growth, high-value economy as it expands into chip design, artificial intelligence (AI), green technology and agri-food.
He said the ‘TVET 2.0’ reform phase aims to promote closer collaboration between industry players and training institutions while accelerating exposure to emerging fields such as semiconductors, AI and renewable energy.
Coordination of the national agenda is managed by the National TVET Council across around 1,400 institutions, involving 12 ministries, state governments and private providers, under the National TVET Policy 2030, he said.
“Companies know what equipment they use and how quickly their needs change. They should be partners in shaping talent from the outset and ensure they are ahead of the curve.
“A modern economy cannot function without the technicians who keep a semiconductor line running or an electric vehicle plant on schedule. The machinery may become more sophisticated.
“The software may become more intelligent. But somebody still has to understand how it works and know what to do when it does not,” said the Prime Minister in his 10-minute keynote address at the plenary session of the WorldSkills Conference 2026 here on Wednesday.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang officially opened the three-day conference, which carried the theme “Shaping a Skills-Driven Future”, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC).
Held in parallel with the 48th WorldSkills Competition Shanghai 2026 and WorldSkills Expo, the conference brought together policymakers, educators, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen global TVET systems.
Strengthening Malaysia-China TVET cooperation
Thanking the Chinese premier for the invitation to visit and the warm welcome extended to the Malaysian delegation, Anwar said Shanghai had changed immensely, evolving from its ‘mother industry’ of textile mills to become a hub for semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
“Every new industry has to be learned before it can be built. Malaysia has reached the same conclusion,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia had set two major targets for 2030 under its National Semiconductor Strategy: securing RM500 billion in semiconductor investment and training or upskilling 60,000 highly skilled Malaysian engineers.
By leveraging China’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, AI, robotics, industrial automation, electric vehicles, semiconductors and digital technologies, Malaysia seeks to strengthen TVET cooperation with China, he said.
“In TVET, we look forward to more exchanges between our students and instructors, more joint training programmes, closer links among TVET institutions and between institutions and industry, and wider sharing of technology and expertise.
“The Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training initiative already shows what cooperation between our institutions can achieve. I believe TVET can become one of the pillars of the wider relationship between Malaysia and China,” said Anwar. — Bernama
Malay Mail – Malaysia
