Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates are being encouraged to look beyond simply securing a job and instead develop the skills, confidence and mindset needed to create employment opportunities for themselves and others.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said graduates of the Youth and Sports Skills Training Institutes (ILKBS) should take advantage of opportunities available locally and internationally, particularly as industries continue to evolve through artificial intelligence, digital technology and new forms of skilled employment.
According to the minister, ILKBS has maintained graduate and alumni data each year to monitor their career development. The records show that most graduates have successfully moved into employment across various industries, as well as the private and public sectors. The current graduate employability rate stands at an impressive 97 per cent.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also working to create opportunities for graduates with disabilities, including young people with autism, to participate meaningfully in the workforce. Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the ministry supported the goal of having at least one per cent of persons with disabilities represented in the public service.
He pointed to opportunities already available within the ministry, including at Menara KBS, where persons with disabilities have been given space to operate a cafe and provide services. Such initiatives, he said, demonstrate how workplaces can become more inclusive while allowing individuals to contribute their talents and skills.
The 21st ILKBS Convocation Ceremony 2026 saw 4,155 graduates receive certificates after completing diploma, advanced certificate and skills certificate programmes in a wide range of fields. Among them were 130 youths with disabilities and autism, highlighting the importance of creating accessible pathways into education, training and employment.
One of ILKBS’ strengths is its emphasis on developing graduates beyond technical knowledge. Around 20 per cent of the learning programme focuses on character development and identity, while the remaining 80 per cent concentrates on technical and vocational skills. Students also participate in community programmes, giving them opportunities to understand responsibility, teamwork and the importance of contributing to society.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq also welcomed the implementation of TVET 2.0 and said the ministry would continue strengthening youth and sports skills training institutions through deeper partnerships with industry. To date, around 180 memoranda of understanding have been signed with industry players and other organisations to strengthen cooperation in areas such as automotive and electrical skills, which continue to experience strong demand.
The minister said these partnerships could continue to grow as new industries emerge. The objective is not simply to train students for today’s jobs but to prepare them for tomorrow’s economy. Graduates are also being encouraged to consider opportunities beyond Malaysia, particularly within the ASEAN region, which represents a market of around 700 million people.
For graduates entering an increasingly competitive world, the message is clear: technical skills are valuable, but adaptability, creativity and initiative can make those skills even more powerful. Understanding artificial intelligence and digital technology, keeping up with industry developments and recognising opportunities outside traditional career paths can help young people build careers that are resilient and future-ready.
Among this year’s graduates, Muhammad Haffiz Rahim knows personally what the TVET pathway can offer. The 25-year-old, who is the eldest of four siblings, received the ILKBS Overall Best Graduate Award after completing a Diploma in Automotive Maintenance Engineering Technology at the National Youth Advanced Skills Institute (IKTBN) Temerloh.
Originally from Bentong, Pahang, Haffiz described the recognition as a memorable achievement and said he wanted to continue developing his abilities while making the most of his talents and repaying his parents for their sacrifices. He hopes to build a career in the public sector, particularly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
His journey has also inspired him to encourage relatives and other young people to consider TVET as a serious career pathway. For him, vocational education is not simply an alternative route into employment. It can be the beginning of a practical, rewarding and promising career.
The bigger message behind Malaysia’s growing focus on TVET is therefore about more than employment statistics. A 97 per cent employability rate is encouraging, but the real measure of success is what graduates do with the opportunities they receive. A young person who gains a skill, builds confidence and eventually creates opportunities for others can have an impact far beyond their first job.
Young people today do not have to wait for someone to hand them a future. They can learn, adapt, build, innovate and create. A certificate may open the first door, but determination, continuous learning and the courage to create something of their own can determine how far they ultimately go.
For every TVET graduate standing at the beginning of a new journey, the message is worth remembering: do not limit yourself to asking, “Who will hire me?” Start asking, “What can I build, what problem can I solve, and how many opportunities can I create?” That shift in mindset could transform not only an individual’s career, but the future of an entire generation.
