SHAH ALAM, Feb 21 — Selangor is boosting its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) push ahead of the transition to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, which emphasises a balance between technology and human roles, said Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) chief executive officer Harizal Hamid.
He said TVET efforts in the state are adapting ahead of the new revolution, in line with global technological developments and the Second Selangor Plan’s (RS-2) direction.
“(This is) in line with the RS-2’s direction that emphasises the formation of a smart, liveable and prosperous state,” he said on Media Selangor’s Bicara Semasa programme.
As the state’s main TVET implementing agency, STDC develops training modules that are responsive to current industry needs, including by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and smart manufacturing technologies.
Harizal said TVET development in Selangor is focusing on long-term career development, not just graduate marketability.
He added that STDC has formed strategic partnerships with global firms such as Siemes, Apple, Google, Dassault Systèmes and BMW Group Malaysia to ensure its training programmes meet international standards.
“When we work with international industry players, it adds value not just to the curriculum, but to the community perception that TVET is no longer a second-class path,” he said.
TVET not a man’s world
Harizal also said Selangor’s TVET push opens doors for women’s participation, dismissing assumptions that technical fields are only suited to men.
He explained that the industrial landscape’s shift from dependence to physical strength to digital and creative skills has made women’s involvement more significant.
“Women have an advantage in creativity, precision, and artistry. These are big advantages in today’s TVET ecosystem,” he said.
According to him, TVET isn’t focused on heavy industries like automotive and electrical anymore, but involves the creative, e-commerce, digital product development, culinary, and pastry fields.
He said the Selangor TVET Women’s Programme is a strategic measure by the state government, with STDC being among its supporting institutions by preparing suitable training and modules.
“This initiative provides a wider space for women to be directly involved in the TVET world and contribute to Selangor’s economic development.
“Women in technical and digital skills fields not just strengthen their position in the job market, but help shape a state economic ecosystem that is more inclusive and resilient,” Harizal added.
