KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called on the government to expedite the set-up of a special commission on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to address fragmentation of TVET implementation, which currently cuts across seven ministries.

The federation is of the view that the special commission on TVET is a step in the right direction and strongly supports it.

"The single champion agency should ensure standardisation of training and qualifications, quality assurance, qualification portability, recognition of prior learning and greater cost effectiveness in the use of resources," it said in a statement today.

"The commission should also uplift the status of TVET graduates as skilled craftsman and promote TVET as a viable education and career of choice to students and parents," said FMM.

It believes that joint oversight by the ministries of education and human resources could provide seamless transition of support programmes and policies from schools to working adults.

"TVET should be introduced into the school curriculum as early as at primary level to nurture interest and uplift the status of technical and vocational qualifications as vital in strengthening the supply of skills and ensuring a competent workforce," it added.

FMM also said funding of TVET institutions must be based on performance and aligned to market demand to mandate collaboration with industry. "The special commission should rationalise and optimise funding and resources to minimise over-duplication of programmes among TVET institutions."