By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government has allocated RM437.93 million this year to strengthen the development of highly skilled human capital to boost Sabah’s economy.
“This includes prioritising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), innovation and digital technology,” he said at the Malaysian Education Ministry Vocational Colleges 10th Convocation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The event saw 1,000 graduates from vocational colleges in Sabah and Labuan receive their diplomas.
“TVET is no longer a second choice but has become mainstream in the national education system and a primary pathway for our children to succeed and acquire skills that meet industry demands,” he said.
This is reflected in the increase in applications to vocational colleges, from 28,098 in 2022 to 58,263 in 2026, against an intake capacity of 17,912 students, he said.
Based on The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), about 170 million new jobs are expected to be created by 2030, particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), renewable energy and the green economy.
“At the domestic level, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) places strong emphasis on high-growth, high-value (HGHV) sectors.
“In line with these needs, the Ministry of Education Malaysia has developed a more dynamic and responsive TVET ecosystem through the Malaysia Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026–2035.”
The event also saw Dr Joachim present the academic excellence award for the diploma in early childhood education to Siti Nur Hanisah Omar Hashim from Kolej Vokasional (KV) Keningau. She received a certificate, plaque and a cash prize of RM1,000.
Dr Joachim presenting the academic excellence award to Siti Nur.
