Highly skilled workers in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can now earn monthly salaries of up to RM16,000, up from around RM12,000 previously, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said.
He said the increase showed that TVET graduates were gaining stronger acceptance from industries and becoming increasingly sought after by employers.
“Last week, or perhaps two weeks ago, I was informed that TVET salaries can reach RM16,000. So, they are going up. There is hope and there are opportunities,” Ramanan said.
He was speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) today.
Ramanan said that about a year ago, salaries for skilled TVET workers were reported to range between RM8,000 and RM12,000, although only a small proportion were earning at the upper end of that range.
He said the increase demonstrated the growing opportunities for TVET graduates to build careers that matched the needs of Malaysia’s expanding industries.
Ramanan also urged graduates not to fear the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, saying technological advances did not mean humans would be replaced in the workforce.
“We should not be worried at all. We have to keep up with the times and pursue what lies ahead of us,” he said.
He noted that people would still be needed to develop, programme and operate increasingly sophisticated technologies and automated systems used across industries.
Ramanan therefore encouraged TVET graduates to continuously upgrade their skills, while also acquiring new ones, to remain relevant and competitive in the job market.
