Malaysia’s TVET Transformation: A Pathway to Industry-Ready Skills and Global Opportunities

In a rapidly evolving global economy, Malaysia is carving out a vital space for itself by transforming its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system into a powerhouse of industry-ready talent. With a focus on emerging technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), industrial automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the country is equipping young Malaysians with practical skills and international exposure, positioning them as key players in mega infrastructure projects like the East Coast Rail Link. This shift, driven by strategic partnerships with China and a growing recognition of vocational training’s value, marks a departure from outdated perceptions of TVET as a secondary educational path.

A New Era for Vocational Training

For 26-year-old Syed Amirul Syafiq Syed Norazman, the journey from uncertainty to opportunity encapsulates the promise of Malaysia’s TVET system. Hailing from Temerloh, about 130 kilometers east of Kuala Lumpur, Amirul is among 102 students from Universiti Kuala Lumpur British Malaysian Institute (UniKL-BMI) who embarked on a year-long railway engineering course in southern China on May 19, 2025. “With my mother’s blessing, I’ve been given this golden opportunity to study in China” he told a local outlet, as he prepared for his first overseas trip. His destination, Liuzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College, offers hands-on training in English, supplemented by Chinese-language classes, ensuring both technical and cultural immersion.

Amirul’s story is part of a broader trend. Malaysia has sent 2,621 trainees to China as of May 1, 2025, under a partnership initiated in November 2023 that offers 5,125 slots for short-, medium-, and long-term programs across 220 Chinese companies. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the National TVET Council, emphasized the transformative potential of this exposure. “The students stand to benefit from global-level upskilling in areas such as electric vehicles, industrial automation systems, and the Internet of Things during their training in China” he said. With enrollment numbers climbing—212,022 new admissions and a total of 436,285 students in 2024, up from 407,038 in 2023—TVET is gaining traction as a viable and prestigious pathway.

From Fallback to Launchpad: Changing Perceptions

Historically, vocational training in Malaysia has been viewed as a less desirable alternative to traditional university education. However, a surge in course offerings tailored to industry demands—ranging from electrical engineering and smart automation to culinary arts and fashion—has reshaped this narrative. The employability rate of TVET graduates, now at an impressive 99 percent according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, underscores the system’s effectiveness. Many students secure job offers before completing their programs, a testament to the practical, hands-on focus of TVET institutions like UniKL-BMI and GiatMARA, which cater to students as young as 15 after completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (equivalent to Singapore’s O-levels).

The government’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 identifies TVET as a critical sector for workforce development, aligning education with the needs of a modern economy. Mega projects like the East Coast Rail Link, valued at 50.27 billion Malaysian Ringgit (US$10.7 billion as of May 24, 2025), set to begin operations in January 2027, highlight the urgent demand for skilled technicians in electrified rail maintenance. Starting salaries for TVET graduates average around 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit (US$425) per month, surpassing the national minimum wage of 1,700 Malaysian Ringgit (US$362) as of February 2025. In high-demand sectors like EV maintenance, salaries can reach up to 6,000 Malaysian Ringgit (US$1,275) monthly, driven by a shortage of qualified workers.

Strategic Partnerships with China: Bridging Skill Gaps

Malaysia’s collaboration with China is a cornerstone of its TVET overhaul. Beyond student exchanges, the partnership extends to instructor training, with 22 GiatMARA educators traveling to Wenzhou and Beijing between November 2024 and March 2025 for programs in EV technology, smart manufacturing, and facility maintenance. Addey Affendy Idam, a 44-year-old smart manufacturing instructor, described his experience in Wenzhou as revelatory. “With so much equipment, each trainee had their own machine—unlike in Malaysia, where three would share one. I learnt about advanced IoT and robotics systems, which will help me teach more effectively” he said. Addey plans to launch GiatMARA’s first smart manufacturing course in 2027, focusing on predictive maintenance using sensors and cloud systems.

Similarly, EV instructor Muhd Amirullah Khairuddin, who trained in Beijing, was struck by China’s technological edge. “I was shocked to see just how far ahead China is—about five years ahead of Malaysia in the EV sector… and their simulators are cutting-edge” he noted. His footage, recorded on a body camera, will inform teaching materials for Malaysia’s first dedicated EV course at GiatMARA’s Bagan Datuk campus, set to launch in July 2025. The campus itself was upgraded in 2024 to become the Malaysia-China Institute, a hub for bilateral TVET collaboration aimed at technology transfer and instructor development.

Driving Malaysia’s Electric Vehicle Ambition

The emphasis on EV training aligns with Malaysia’s broader industrial goals. The country registered 28,048 EVs in 2024, a 79 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Road Transport Department. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who oversees energy transition, has outlined plans for 10,000 EV charging stations by the end of 2025, positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for EV production and innovation. For TVET graduates like Amirul, this translates into tangible career prospects in a sector hungry for skilled labor. The government’s vision to strengthen the entire EV value chain—from manufacturing to maintenance—relies heavily on a workforce equipped with cutting-edge expertise, much of which is now being cultivated through international programs.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite these advancements, experts caution that Malaysia’s government-led TVET model may need recalibration. Dr. Wan Chang Da, a veteran in national higher education policy research, advocates for a shift toward a private sector-driven approach akin to systems in Germany and Switzerland. “I am concerned that the existing government-led approach may cause TVET institutions to turn into conventional academic universities that focus on the institutions and number of graduates” he warned. He argues that industry players should lead curriculum design to ensure training remains demand-driven and problem-focused, rather than supply-driven by government mandates.

Currently, Malaysia’s TVET system benefits from substantial public funding and direct oversight, with 694 institutions offering post-secondary programs. While this has fueled rapid growth and accessibility—particularly for students who excel in technical fields rather than academics—it risks misalignment with real-time industry needs if private sector input remains limited. Balancing government support with corporate involvement could further enhance graduate employability and relevance, ensuring that Malaysia’s vocational training remains agile in a fast-changing global market.

A Future of Possibilities

For students like 21-year-old Izzat Zulfiqar Imran, currently training at Liuzhou College, the TVET pathway is not just a career track but a gateway to stability. “This programme guarantees my future” he said with optimism. As Malaysia continues to invest in vocational education, leveraging international partnerships and aligning with industrial trends, the narrative around TVET is being rewritten. No longer a fallback option, it is emerging as a launchpad for innovation and economic growth, equipping a new generation with the skills to power the nation’s ambitions on the global stage. Whether this momentum can be sustained, and how the balance between government and industry evolves, will shape the trajectory of Malaysia’s workforce for decades to come.