A Special Report by MalaysianGlobal Business Forum

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 22 November 2018 - Graduates of Malaysia's Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET) programme continues to benefit from continuoussupport from one of Malaysia's leading Exploration and Production (E&P)company, the Sapura Energy Berhad (SEB).

SEB, under the leadership of itschief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin, is a dedicatedsupporter of TVET programme as evident in the numerous TVET graduates thecompany employed in the oil and gas services that made up its team of highlyskilled multinational workforce of over 13,000 people in more than 20countries.

Sapura Energy joined the league ofmany Malaysian-based multinational that employs local TVET graduates in linewith the country aim to move up the ladder in becoming a high-income nation.

SEB has actively been involved intaking in TVET graduates to join its league of skilled highly paid work as seenit its recent employment drive for TVET in September this year at KolejKemahiran Tinggi MARA in Kemaman, Terengganu.

Among the job SEB offered were inStructure Fabrication, Piping Fabrication, Mechanical, Welding, Rigging,Scaffolding, Blasting Painting, Construction and Quality, all which offersthousand of ringgit in monthly salary for TVET graduates.

SEB dedication in employing highly-skilledand technically capable TVET graduates is in line with its image as anentrepreneurially-led, technically competent and trusted global oil and gascompany.

Fifty-nine percent of SEB employeesare aged between 31 and 45 years old, while 21 per cent are between 20 and 30years old, while the remaining 20 percent are those aged over 45 years old.

It employs 35 nationalities, with70 percent of the workforce are male an 30 percent women, 18 percent of itsmanagement are held by women, while 29 percent of the skilled workforce(combinations of technical and professional expertise such as engineers,accounts, managers and HR executive) are women.

According to the EducationMinistry's Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education), there will be anincrease in demand for an additional 1.3 million Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET) workers by 2020 in the 12 National Key EconomicAreas identified under the government's Economic Transformation Programme.

Under the 2019 Budget, thegovernment through Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has set up a RM30 million TVETfund to create a more competitive environment as well as training programmes tofulfil industry need.

TVET programmes in the country areoffered at certificate, diploma and degree levels by seven ministries thatinclude the Education Ministry, which offers the most TVET programmes to thehighest number of students.

It is estimated that 98,000students sign up yearly to enrol in TVET programmes at 34 polytechnicinstitutions in the nation.

An estimated 1.5 million jobs areexpected by 2020, of which 60 per cent will require TVET skills, an employmentsector where SEB sits.  

The government has also decidedthat there is a need to lessen the nation's dependency on foreign workers andthis opens up even more opportunities to TVET graduates.

TVET offers a rich array ofprogrammes in many fields including automotive, culinary arts, electronics,engineering, entrepreneurship and journalism. It involves learning in class andhands-on training, which provide knowledge and skills for employment.

TVET students are equipped withspecific skills in a specific field. Early exposure to practical andon-the-job-training ready them for the workplace.  

With a renewed focusand direction given by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to fulfil thenational agenda of Vision 2020, TVET education strives to provide a skilledMalaysian workforce which can benefit the industry.

#News #MGBF #Positive # ShahrilShamsuddin