Inaugural TVET launch in Sabah Malaysia -

Jonathan Ledger, CEO of Global Skills Ledger was the keynote speaker at the inaugural technical education and vocational training (TVET) seminar in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Monday 20th February 2017. He showcased the UK TVET system and all it’s component functions. Jonathan also shared many examples of his global experience of TVET implementation to demonstrate that the UK’s methodology and best practice can be successfully contextualised to ensure the country’s education ambitions are achieved.

The British High Commission and Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA), supported by the UK Department for International Trade’s Education team and the British Council set up this prestigious event to build upon the already very close relationship that the UK and Malaysia share and to cement the UK as Malaysia’s partner of choice in education.

The day long seminar held in Kota Kinabalu, was attended by YB Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Her Excellency, Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, along with many other distinguished guests including over 200 delegates from a wide range of public and private community colleges, polytechnics and private training providers.

“Until recently, most of the focus has been around academic education. Sabah’s Education Blueprint 2015 to 2025 sets out the country’s ambition to create credible and high quality TVET pathways and opportunities for all. The aim is to enable the emerging TVET focus to bring about a systemic change in the way TVET is developed and delivered in partnership with employers so that there is a route for all to access and maintain the work skills needed within the current and future labour market.” Said Jonathan Ledger, CEO of Global Skills Ledger.

“It was a privilege for Global Skills Ledger to be able to play a pivotal role in supporting both the UK and Malaysian Governments’ as they begin their TVET partnership and we look forward to helping that journey.”

Jonathan Ledger showcases UK TVET experience in Sabah.

This again demonstrates that Global Skills Ledger and it’s globally renowned experts are recognised as a credible partner at the policy and strategic level of TVET system design, as well as through the system development and implementation.

For the first time, training providers are beginning to engage with employers and stakeholders in TVET curriculum design so that they can provide more Industry based training of practical work place skills. In additional, industry practitioners are being encouraged to teach at colleges and universities to ensure that the right skills are being taught. According to the ministry, a record 97.4 per cent of community college students who undertake vocational training are employed after they graduate and so the case for high quality TVET to be integrated and accepted into the country’s qualification system is clear to see. There are currently 33 polytechnics, 94 community colleges and four technical universities in the country.

Jonathan Ledger, CEO Global Skills Ledger Ltd

This Seminar was part of the ‘Education is GREAT’ campaign in the ASEAN region which runs for five years from 2016. The UK Government’s ‘Education is GREAT Campaign’ had its soft launch during the former British Prime Minister, David Cameron’s visit to Malaysia in July 2015, with the official launch early last year in London and Putrajaya.

At the launch of the Education is Great campaign, Vicki Treadell said:

“The campaign celebrates the existing educational links between the UK and Malaysia, and further promotes partnerships in the provision of education and training. We wish to drive up our engagement to a new level and help support Malaysia’s ambition to become the education hub for ASEAN.”