Professional Jobs Not The Only Choice For Employment

By Zulkiple Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- If your air-conditioning unit breaks down, who would you call to make the necessary repairs? What happens if there are faults in the electrical wiring system in your home; should you call the wireman? Where do these air-conditioning mechanics and electrical wiremen learn their trades? Maybe your children harbour interest in the hospitality industry? What opportunities will they have in the employment sector? The answer to these questions is vocational education. University lecturer Abdul Rahman Johar says vocational education is a form of education providing practical skills that will allow students to engage in careers involving manual or practical abilities. "Among the careers for which people can receive vocational education training are plumbing, electrical wiring, hotel management and air conditioner installation. "Technical and vocational education is also known as technical vocational education and training (TVET)," he said. In Malaysia, TVET is available at technical and vocational secondary schools (SMT/SMV). Vocational courses are also offered by polytechnics and community colleges. TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND RESOURCES The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that too much attention and resources are given to academic rather than vocational education. According to a UNESCO report, many parties view vocational education "as if vocational education is only for those who do not do well academically". Abdul Rahman said vocational education has a specific and practical focus, rather than an academic one, and it is designed to provide people with the skills needed to start a career in an area of interest. He said the government contributes to vocational education to ensure that people with technical skills will be readily available, and to provide career options for people who are not interested in pursuing professional education courses. "Some institutions offer vocational training to their students so that they can graduate with job skills that can be applied immediately. "These institutions may specifically cater to people who are interested in entering a technical trade, or they may have two educational routes, with one aimed at further education while the other gets students ready to enter the work force," he explained. TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS Abdul Rahman said a large part of the education in vocational schools is hands-on training. "Vocational training provides a link between education and the working world. This training is usually provided either at the technical-school level or in a higher-level institution". Some of the technical institutions established by the Malaysian Government are the Industrial Training Institutes (ILP), Advance Technology Institute (ADTEC), National Youth Skills Institutes (IKBN) and Giatmara Centre and the Agricultural Institute. There are 21 ILP, 14 IKBN, three ADTEC and 162 Giatmara Centres, as well as 36 community colleges and 24 polytechnics nationwide, offering certificates and diploma-level courses in industrial and computer technologies. ON THE JOB TRAINING According to the lecturer, on-the-job training is particularly useful in the manufacturing sector, where training is generally provided. "Training is offered to new workers as well as the more experienced workers, to enable them to advance to more skilled jobs," he said. Abdul Rahman said training often takes the form of a rookie being paired with a more experienced worker. As companies develop a greater emphasis on teamwork, many firms have developed training courses that encourage employee self-direction and responsibility, as well as the development of interpersonal skills. In the manufacturing sector, industries such motor vehicle, parts manufacturing and machinery manufacturing, employers frequently offer formal apprenticeship programmes that combine on-the-job training with technical classroom teaching. The government, through its agencies, has introduced various technical and vocational development programmes. These programmes have been professionally developed to meet the current needs of industries and technologies. The time has come to encourage the country's youths, particularly those not interested in the academic route, to take up skills and technical training. -- BERNAMA