News and Opportunities
Forum engages with Malaysian VET sector
16 May 2012
A Vocational Education and Training Forum held in Kuala Lumpur in April, outlined current trends, direction and expectations toward VET in Malaysia. It saw strong interest and commitment by Malaysian stakeholders, both public and private, in engaging with Australian providers.
The forum, held on 26 April, was a key element of Austrade’s ASEAN VET Mission. Presentations outlined current trends, direction and expectations toward VET in Malaysia, and also highlighted Australia’s long history of developing world-class VET education.
The forum included three Malaysian speakers, who were invited to present and update participants on current VET developments and directions in the country.
The 60 participants displayed a keenness and commitment which was not as evident a year ago. Private providers and industry representatives who participated in the forum seemed to be more interested in exploring opportunities in the VET sector as a new investment or as an extension of their existing businesses. There is also an awareness of Australia’s strength in VET. An overall eagerness to learn about how the Australian system works was also apparent.
The Community Colleges Department, which currently has 79 parent colleges nationwide, is gearing to have its facilities closer to specific industries and customise programs for upskilling and reskilling.
While Malaysia will require some time for the VET sector to becoming more fully established, the government‘s more direct role will help spur the move. If private providers and industries begin to see strong returns in an investment in VET, the sector will grow as quickly and strongly as did higher education when it became privatised two decades ago.
Participants included Mr Mohd Amir, Director General for Community Colleges Department, Ministry of Higher Education; Mr Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF); and Mr Vigneswaeran, Deputy Chief Executive Officer from the Human Resources Development Fund, Ministry of Human Resources.
The event also included business matching appointments which were fully booked. The event rounded off with a networking evening for the delegates and participants. Delegates had two site visits the following day before the final leg of their mission to Brunei. Participants were impressed by the versatile range of programs, the close interaction of industry in VET and the varied pathways for students.
Left to right: Elodie Journet, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner; Padmini Pillai, Education Manager; Mr Mohd Amir, DG Community Colleges Department, Ministry of Higher Education; Mr Vigneswaeran, Deputy CEO, Human Resource Development Fund, Ministry of Human Resources; Mr Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director Malaysian Employers Federation; and Australian delegates Ms Anna Parkin, SA TAFE, and Ms Holly Croft, WCIT, WA.