{
  "id": 9021767,
  "title": "'Ensure grads land jobs befitting skills'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ensure-grads-land-jobs-befitting-skills",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T22:00:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1537937/ensure-grads-land-jobs-befitting-skills"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir emphasized that the success of polytechnic and community college (PolyCC) graduates should be measured by the quality of jobs they secure, not just employment rates. He urged these institutions to go beyond merely achieving a 98 percent graduate employability rate last year. Zambry stressed the importance of aligning graduates' skills with jobs that offer good prospects and income, thereby promoting a closer collaboration between educational institutions and the industry. This collaboration should extend from curriculum development to employment opportunities. The Minister noted that rapid advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, green technology, cybersecurity, and digital economy have transformed job markets and industry skill requirements. He pointed out that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is now a primary career pathway for the younger generation, rather than a secondary option. To support this shift, Zambry announced that PolyCC would be the TVET Pioneer, a key focus area under the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 and the Polytechnic and Community College Strategic Plan 2026-2035. PolyCC encompasses 36 polytechnics and 106 community colleges, serving over 100,000 students. The Minister highlighted the crucial role of Sabah's three polytechnics and nine community colleges in widening educational access, cultivating local talent, and fueling the state's economic growth through TVET. Furthermore, he mentioned that five additional polytechnics would soon be offering degree programs in technical and engineering fields, increasing the total to nine.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}