Malaysia explores collaboration with South Korea and Turkiye for Trainer Development

MALAYSIA. The Star (27 October 2023) - Malaysia is exploring opportunities to send lecturers and trainers, especially in the field of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), to South Korea and Turkiye, for the training of trainers (ToT).

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the two countries are among the new sources which have the best and most experienced TVET institutions.

He said the government has sent ToT lecturers to Germany and Japan because they are strong in TVET, in addition to having deep ties with Malaysia.

“However, we should explore opportunities with South Korea, which has quite experienced institutions. As for Turkiye, it has high skills in terms of the defence industry,” he said.

He said this when met after participating in a discourse organised by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) titled “Modal Insan Penggerak Pembangunan Negara: Pandangan daripada Pendekatan Ekonomi Baharu Malaysia” (Human Capital Driving and Nation Development: Views from Malaysia’s New Economic Approach).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council Committee chairman, said that in Budget 2024, professional training skills are given one of the priorities to create new sources of employment.

He added that ToT is an important element in speeding up and improving the training and skills of the new workforce.

“I will discuss with the Finance Minister, who is also the Prime Minister, allocating part of Budget 2024 for this purpose.

“We will also open up opportunities for prospective trainers to learn about new industries, for example, in the aerospace industry,” he said.

Earlier, during his speech at ODI, an independent global think tank, Ahmad Zahid discussed the recently launched Madani economy, which outlines a dynamic and inclusive agenda for Malaysia.

“The Madani economy is focused on restructuring the economy towards making Malaysia a leading Asian economy,” he said.

Apart from TVET, human capital and the Madani economic concept, Ahmad Zahid also highlighted Malaysia as a leader in the halal industry, with global recognition of its halal products, services and certification standards.

Malaysia, he said, sees several significant opportunities ahead for this industry, including new jobs and growth that will benefit human capital. This is reflected in its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, which aims to grow the industry to US$106.1bil by the end of this year.

The Deputy Prime Minister is currently on a working visit to the United Kingdom (Oct 25 to 28), in conjunction with the World Halal Business Conference (WHBC 2023) organised by the Halal Development Corporation.

He is scheduled to officiate and deliver his keynote address at the conference today.

Ahmad Zahid will also hold a meeting with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK, Therese Coffey, as well as a meeting with Muslim members of the UK Parliament. — Bernama

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