Vocational Education and Skills Training for Indigenous Community in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper discusses the participation of Indigenous community in the field of Technical and Vocational education (TVE) and in the specialized programs in Skills Training Institutions (STI) in Malaysia. Marginalization of Indigenous youth in terms of education and employment in Malaysia is critical and needs to be addressed.  High unemployment among the Orang Asli youth may be attributed to their lack of proper skills required by the employers.  Thus, vocational training is needed to ensure the competitiveness of these people in the era of globalization to live a more comfortable life and have a better socio-economic status (SES). This paper also deliberates on the developmental history of TVE, the aims and the objectives of its implementation in the education system. Apart from these, the training and skills programs for the Indigenous youth who are drop-outs and have completed schooling were also discussed. This paper also presents the conclusion and recommendations to improve the participation of Indigenous community in the TVE and STI. If the recommendations are taken positively by the relevant authorities in-charge of the Indigenous people, the future of Indigenous youth will be brighter because it will improve their employment prospects and enhance their social mobility and status.

Keywords: technical and vocational education, skills training, indigenous people, Malaysia