Zahid calls for separate accreditation body to oversee TVET sector

 

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed the establishment of a dedicated accreditation body for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to coordinate the assessment and recognition of the field without affecting the roles of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Department of Skills Development (JPK).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National TVET Council, said the proposal was made in view of the current system, which separates academic and skills-based accreditation, whereas TVET requires a dedicated body to provide more comprehensive coordination.

“As we have 1,395 TVET institutions, it would be better for accreditation to be carried out by a dedicated body without interfering with the accreditation functions currently undertaken by MQA and JPK.

“This is in line with the standards adopted by several developed countries, where we have found that they have separate bodies for accreditation, and this is something Malaysia can emulate,” he told reporters after launching the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC) TVET Placement Centre (GTPC) and the High-Impact Industry Forum in conjunction with National TVET Day 2026 here today.

Commenting on the progress of the proposal, he said the matter had been discussed with relevant stakeholders, including those at the Higher Education Ministry.

He added that he had discussed the matter with Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman, Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim and, prior to that, with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

“I believe the matter can be pursued at the working level, and my secretary-general (Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad) will follow up with both MQA and JPK,” he said.

Asked whether the proposed accreditation body would require new appointments, the Rural and Regional Development Minister said there was no such need, as the necessary structure already existed within the current system.

“No, because the personnel are already in place. It is only a matter of separating responsibilities specifically for technical fields,” he said.

Reiterating the proposal during his speech, Ahmad Zahid said the establishment of a dedicated accreditation body formed part of a broader TVET-specific recognition agenda aimed at ensuring TVET graduates meet industry standards and labour market requirements.

He said the GTPC should play a key role as a national bridge between talent and industry to ensure that industrial training placements, work-based learning, apprenticeship opportunities, employment placements and talent matching are carried out in a more structured manner.

“More importantly, I hope Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, as chairman of GITC, will ensure that GITC becomes an instrument for the nation to better understand the actual needs of the job market for TVET graduates,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said TVET was no longer merely an educational agenda but had evolved into a national agenda requiring the collective involvement of all stakeholders, including the government, industry and training institutions.

He said the TVET ecosystem must be driven collectively within a more structured framework to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with current industry needs.

“This can only be achieved if the government, industry and institutions work together within a well-coordinated ecosystem,” he said.

The National TVET Day 2026 celebration is being held over three days, from yesterday, at Dataran Putrajaya here, with the official opening and launch of TVET 2.0 officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. — Bernama