Malaysian skills certificate holders qualify for jobs in public sector, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that individuals holding certificates and diplomas from the Skills Development Department are qualified to apply for positions in the public service sector.

As such, he stated that the spread of claims suggesting that diploma programmes in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are not recognised by the Public Service Department (PSD) must stop.

“I hope such speculation is not exaggerated to avoid public misunderstanding. The TVET field has significant potential, as evident by the increase in graduate marketability from 92.5% in 2022 to 94.5% in 2023, demonstrating high industry acceptance and recognition,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 23).

Previously, there were claims that the TVET diploma issued by the Skills Department, under the Human Resources Ministry, was not recognised by the department for positions in the public service scheme.

Ahmad Zahid explained that TVET programmes in Malaysia are generally conducted by TVET institutions accredited by two primary bodies: the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Skills Department, based on the Malaysian Qualifications Framework.

“The Skills Certification issued by the Skills Department comprises the Malaysian Skills Certificate for levels 1 through 3, the Malaysian Skills Diploma for level 4, and the Malaysian Advanced Skills Diploma for level 5.

“This certification is based on the job competencies and skills required by the industry, as outlined in the Malaysian Occupational Skills Standard or the National Occupational Skills Standard,” he said.

He said that according to Service Circular No. 1 of 2016 – Rationalisation of Service Schemes for the Federal Public Service Under the Malaysian Remuneration System issued by the PSD, a total of 68 service schemes, comprising 66 at grade 19 and 2 at grade 29, require Malaysian Skills Certification as one of the conditions when applying for public service positions.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the Skills Department will, from time to time, consult with the PSD to see if other government sector positions require Malaysian Skills Certification.

He said that this creates more opportunities for TVET graduates under the Malaysian Skills Certification System to serve in the government sector, thereby improving the quality of public service as a whole.

“This is the government’s effort to create high-impact employment opportunities in line with the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate change, sustainability practices, demographic shifts, and the globalisation of value chains, which are reshaping the nature of jobs and increasing the need for skilled workers,” he said. – BK