COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
@ green | May-June. 2026
TVET 2.0 pivots to AI, robotics
� TVET 2.0 will prioritise high-impact sectors such as AI, robotics, renewable energy and digital technologies.
� The government wants industries to play a larger role in shaping TVET syllabuses and training standards.
� A proposed TVET Act and TVET Commission could strengthen governance and coordination across the national skills ecosystem.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
MALAYSIA’ S Technical and Vocational Education and Training( TVET) ecosystem is preparing for a significant transformation under the proposed TVET 2.0 framework, which will place greater emphasis on high-impact and high-technology sectors in line with the country’ s future economic direction.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the new approach aims to ensure Malaysia produces a workforce capable of meeting the demands of industries increasingly shaped by digitalisation, automation and sustainability.
Among the sectors expected to receive priority attention are artificial intelligence( AI), robotics, the Internet of Things( IoT), renewable energy, animation, semiconductorrelated industries and digital technologies.
According to Zahid, the government wants TVET to evolve beyond its traditional perception as purely technical or manual skills training and instead position it as a strategic driver of Malaysia’ s economic competitiveness.
SHIFTING TOWARDS FUTURE INDUSTRIES
The move reflects broader shifts across ASEAN and globally, where industries are rapidly adopting advanced technologies and restructuring operations around automation, data-driven systems, and green energy solutions.
Malaysia, which is actively positioning itself as a regional hub for digital investments, data centres, semiconductor manufacturing and renewable energy development, is facing increasing demand for skilled technicians and technology-ready workers.
Zahid said TVET 2.0 would help bridge this gap by aligning training programmes
more closely with real industry requirements.
“ High-impact skills and high-technology sectors will become the new backbone of TVET development,” said Zahid.
He added that the revamped framework is expected to be launched officially by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next month.
The government is also seeking stronger collaboration with industries to ensure TVET institutions remain responsive to technological changes and evolving workforce needs.
INDUSTRY-LED SYLLABUSES One of the key components of TVET 2.0 governance, coordination and policy execution across the sector.
Industry observers have long argued that Malaysia’ s TVET landscape remains fragmented, with multiple ministries and agencies overseeing different programmes and certifications.
A centralised framework could help streamline standards, funding mechanisms and long-term workforce planning.
ECONOMIC AGENDA
The TVET transformation is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Malaysia’ s ambitions in areas such as the digital economy,
“ TVET is no longer a secondary option. It is becoming a central pillar of Malaysia’ s future economic strategy."
will be the adoption of more industry-led syllabuses, in which employers and industry players play a direct role in shaping training modules, certifications, and practical exposure.
This approach aims to improve graduate employability while reducing the mismatch between skills training and market demand.
According to Zahid, industries today require workers who are not only technically competent but also digitally literate, adaptable and capable of working within increasingly automated environments.
“ The future workforce must be prepared not only for today’ s jobs, but also for industries that are still evolving,” Zahid added.
The government is also studying proposals to introduce a dedicated TVET Act and establish a TVET Commission to improve
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
green technology, smart manufacturing and sustainable development.
It also aligns with the country’ s broader push to attract higher-quality investments that require specialised technical talent.
Beyond large industries, TVET 2.0 is also expected to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, gig workers, and small businesses through more flexible, technology-oriented learning pathways.
“ TVET is no longer a secondary option. It is becoming a central pillar of Malaysia’ s future economic strategy,” Zahid explained.
As competition for skilled talent intensifies across the region, Malaysia’ s success in upgrading its TVET ecosystem could become a decisive factor in maintaining its economic relevance in an increasingly technologydriven ASEAN landscape. – @ green