"Exporting" German Dual Vocational Training to Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur, 08 January 2014 - Malaysia’s economy is rapidly growing and the country is well under way to become a high-income nation based on a comprehensive and result-oriented government and economic transformation program . This rapid growth calls for a rising need of highly skilled workers. To improve the quality of its workforce, Malaysia is turning towards the successful German Dual Vocational Training (DVT) System to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC), together with the Department of Skills Development (DSD) of the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) and the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI), as well as Malaysian and foreign companies are set to flag of a first batch of trainees in the first ever high level Dual Vocational Training program (Advanced Skill Diploma/DLKM/Level5) in Malaysia under the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS).
In preparation for the program MGCC has conducted research and a survey among German and Malaysian companies as well as young Malaysians to learn more about the requirements of the private sector and on how high level vocational training is perceived by young people in Malaysia.
The research at companies in Malaysia based on numerous interviews shows, that the main shortcoming the private sector is facing with graduates of many training programs is the lack of industry relevance and of practical exposure during the training. Fresh graduates have to be put through costly and extensive further trainings before they can engage in their tasks as a regular employee with the required degree of productivity. Youngsters with a skill certificates level of SKM 1 to 3 are often considered as unskilled or semi-skilled workers in the private sector who have to be trained before being able to perform their work. Today, secondary school leavers without any skill certificates entering the job market are the most severe recruitment problem faced by most companies. Another challenge many employers are facing nowadays is the poor command of the English language.
The survey amongst young Malaysians examined the awareness of the German dual vocational training system and the interest towards such training program in Malaysia.
Approximately 40% of 144 respondents are SPM holders, the main target group for the German Dual Vocational Training. According to the survey findings, the German dual vocational training system is seen as the best alternative for young Malaysians to acquire practical qualifications with good career prospects, besides advancing their studies in higher educational institutes. In addition, a large number of the respondents obtained ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ grades in their recent English examinations.
The survey also shows that most Malaysian youngsters are not aware of the German dual vocational training system, but a majority displayed their interests in taking part in the three year dual vocational training program in Malaysia. The benefits of the program are seen, amongst other in the professional qualification achieved, sufficient practical experience as well as improved career opportunities in the future. Only a minor group of respondents are not interested in such training due to the long training period of 3 years.
Generally, the survey indicates the interest of young Malaysians to work self-dependently and to take up responsibilities in a company. Furthermore, good remunerations play a vital role for young Malaysians in choosing their employers. As a conclusion, a job package with a competitive salary and the opportunity of further training in a company increases the youngsters’ motivation and interest. It increases loyalty and long-term commitment towards their employers, productivity scales, and competitiveness which results in profitability of an organisation.
“In line with Malaysia’s Vision 2020 and the rising demand for a highly skilled workforce, it is necessary to offer comprehensive and high level training to young Malaysians”, says Carmen Omlor, MGCC’s Dual Vocational Training Consultant. She adds that “in order to move Malaysia towards the next level, competencies developed in a dual vocational training environment will enable the graduates to respond quickly to changes and are centred on developing further knowledge. The German dual vocational training system will serve as a role model for educational efforts within the country and an implementation of such a program in Malaysia will have long term effects in improving the quality of the Malaysian workforce”.