Universities are not only path to youth success - Zambry Abd Kadir

Universities aren't the sole pathway to success for young people, according to Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The public must abandon the notion that education in technical fields is the only way to achieve success, the minister stated. Zambry highlighted that polytechnics and community colleges offer skills and certification in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for those who may not excel academically.

He noted that applications to enter polytechnics have surged by 132 percent compared to the previous 60 to 70 percent range. During a dialogue session pertaining to the launch of the Future Skills Framework for the Communications Sector and the Strategic Talent Development Initiative, Zambry emphasized the need to enhance teaching methods at skills institutions to fulfill the nation's demand for technical workers.

He also stressed that the government's effort to produce 60,000 engineers underscores that success isn't solely tied to degree qualifications. Instead, skilled workers with training in engineering-related areas at skills institutions are also crucial. Zambry mentioned that students from non-traditional streams, such as the arts, are being given opportunities to delve into these technical fields through targeted intervention programs.

Furthermore, polytechnics have already trained 447 students through engineering diploma programs. Deputy Human Resources Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan echoed similar sentiments, stressing the urgency of addressing the skills mismatch issue. The deputy minister pointed out that nearly 37 percent of skilled workers were not employed in February 2023, attributing this to factors like a lack of job opportunities, skills gaps, and inadequate salary packages.

Khan emphasized the necessity of adopting a "future-proof talent" approach to align workers' skills with future job demands. In a bid to bolster workforce development, the Ministry of Human Resources has introduced the National Human Resources Policy 2026-2035, focusing on four areas: more productive employment, career development, meaningful incomes, and appropriate protection.

However, Khan stressed that the policy's effectiveness hinges on balanced infrastructure development across states to ensure that job opportunities and talent development are not confined to the Klang Valley.