Zahid: 2,364 tahfiz students take up skills training, 900 secure Malaysian Skills Certification

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The deputy prime minister and National TVET Council chairman, Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, announced that 2,364 tahfiz students took part in various skills training programmes at TVET institutions between 2023 and 2025. Out of these, 900 students secured the Malaysian Skills Certification under the National Occupational Skills Standard.

The Tahfiz TVET programmes have been expanded through the addition of four Advanced Technology Colleges, allowing 375 trainees to undergo full-time certificate-level training and micro-credential diploma programmes. Since 2016, the Professional Huffaz Programme at Universiti Kuala Lumpur has been expanded to TVETMARA, GIATMARA, PERDA Institute of Advanced Skills, Kolej KEDA, and Kolej KETENGAH, with the support of academic bridging programs and mobile training units.

Challenges faced include differences in students’ academic qualifications and digital proficiency, as well as limited facilities and instructors in rural areas. The government plans to continue strengthening cooperation among ministries, agencies, and industry players to ensure the training remains relevant to the current labour market needs.