Malaysia is stepping up efforts to strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered job matching and an additional RM100 million allocation aimed at producing a highly skilled workforce aligned with industry demands.

The initiatives are part of the government’s broader strategy to address skills mismatch, enhance graduate employability and prepare talent for high-growth, high-value industries.

Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan announced the measures while officiating the 2026 National TVET Instructors and Accredited Centre Managers Conference at Wyndham Grand Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

He said the government had approved an additional RM100 million for the Higher Skills TVET programme to accelerate the country’s TVET transformation agenda.

The funding will enable more students to receive advanced technical training and equip them with skills needed for employment in high-value industries.

“The government’s priority is to ensure that TVET programmes are closely aligned with industry needs so that graduates secure jobs matching their qualifications and competencies,” Ramanan said.

To further improve employment outcomes, he said the government has integrated AI technology into the MyFutureJobs platform. TVET graduates registering on the platform will be matched with suitable job opportunities based on their qualifications, training and skills.

Ramanan noted that demand for skilled workers is expanding rapidly beyond the oil and gas sector, particularly in advanced manufacturing, digital technology and other high-growth industries. Many TVET graduates, he added, are securing better career opportunities and significant salary increases within months of completing their training.

He said the TVET 2.0 Higher Skills initiative would strengthen Malaysia’s high-growth, high-value (HGHV) industries while supporting the government’s target of raising the country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita to around RM77,200 annually.

The minister said Malaysia is also modernising its TVET ecosystem through stronger industry collaboration, expanded advanced skills training, digital transformation and wider adoption of AI in data management and training administration.

According to the latest government data, 95.5 percent of graduates from TVET institutions under the Human Resources Ministry secured employment within six months of completing their training. Of those employed, 85.1 percent are working in fields related to their training, while employer satisfaction has reached 97.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Skills Development Department (JPK) Director-General Kamaruzaman Mohd Ali said TVET instructors and accredited training centre managers remain the backbone of Malaysia’s skilled workforce development.

He urged trainers to continuously upgrade and reskill themselves to keep pace with industrial transformation and produce a globally competitive workforce.

Held under the theme “(R)EVOLUSI TVET: Empowering Competencies, Driving National Growth,” the conference also saw the launch of the JPK Internationalisation Action Plan 2026-2030, SkillsMalaysia Global, and the TVET Transformation Book.

The initiatives are designed to strengthen international recognition of Malaysia’s TVET system, expand global partnerships and enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian skilled workers in the international labour market.

With increased investment, AI-driven employment matching and deeper collaboration with industry, Malaysia aims to build a future-ready workforce while reinforcing its position as a leading player in the global TVET landscape.