{
  "id": 9268297,
  "title": "Anwar: Malaysia needs skilled workers to power its next economic leap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/anwar-malaysia-needs-skilled-workers-to-power-its-next-economic-leap",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:15:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/23/anwar-malaysia-needs-skilled-workers-to-power-its-next-economic-leap/236200"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia is focusing on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to bolster its industrial policy, aiming to create a highly skilled and well-compensated workforce. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that TVET is crucial for transitioning to a high-growth, high-value economy, with growth areas including chip design, artificial intelligence, green technology, and agri-food. The 'TVET 2.0' reform phase seeks to foster closer collaboration between industries and training institutions, expediting exposure to emerging sectors like semiconductors, AI, and renewable energy. Coordinated by the National TVET Council across 1,400 institutions, the initiative involves 12 ministries, state governments, and private providers under the National TVET Policy 2030. Prime Minister Anwar highlighted that companies possess the necessary equipment and understand the fluctuating demands of their sectors. He stated that a modern economy relies on technicians to maintain complex machinery and software, as they are essential for ensuring operations run smoothly. At the WorldSkills Conference 2026, Anwar thanked Chinese Premier Li Qiang for the invitation and Malaysia's warm welcome during the visit. He expressed that Shanghai, once known for textile mills, has transformed into a center for semiconductors and AI. Malaysia has set ambitious targets under its National Semiconductor Strategy, including RM500 billion in semiconductor investment and the training or upskilling of 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030. Leveraging China's expertise in advanced manufacturing, AI, robotics, industrial automation, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and digital technologies, Malaysia intends to enhance TVET cooperation with China. Anwar emphasized the importance of more student and instructor exchanges, joint training programs, stronger links between TVET institutions and industry, and broader technology and expertise sharing. He noted that the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training initiative demonstrates the positive outcomes of such collaborations, and he believes TVET can become a cornerstone of Malaysia-China relations.",
  "summary": "SHANGHAI, Sept 23 — Malaysia is positioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the centre o...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Anwar: Malaysia needs skilled workers to power its next economic leap",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/anwar-malaysia-needs-skilled-workers-to-power-its-next-economic-leap-9269670",
        "published": "2026-09-23T04:15:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}