KUALA LUMPUR: A series of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education talk will be held in several states to promote its importance as an alternative education and career path for students.

MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Leong Kim Soon said the second session of the talk was organised following the success of the first session in April.

“Unlike the first session which was organise in our headquarters and several MCA branches, this time, we will have it in secondary schools for students.

“We had the first educational talk of the second session in Segamat, Johor on Sept 13 and response was encouraging.

“More than 1,000 attendees are expected to attend the (TVET) educational talk and is open to the public,” he said during a press conference at Wisma MCA here.

The talks, organised by MCA Youth, will be held in Setiawan, Perak; Kapar, Selangor; Sungai Petani, Kedah; Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan and Teluk Intan throughout October and November.

Leong reiterated that students should look into the importance of TVET as there was a severe shortage of skilled workers, especially in the agricultural and wood-based industries.

“Under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), the Government announced an allocation of RM1bil for the Skills Development Fund for students to receive vocational education.

“However, vocational education should not be seen as an option for poor academic achievers but an additional choice for the right career path one wished to venture in,” he said,

“Parents should also encourage their children to consider vocational education as an alternative path in their career,” he said, adding that there will more talks to be added soon.