KUALA LUMPUR: Next month, 56 Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) institutions nationwide will be sending 500 young talents to China for enhanced skills training, aligning with the current workforce needs.

National Association of Skilled Workers (PKPB), secretary-general, Mohammad Rizan Hassan, said the agreement was reached at a meeting with all the institutions at the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (RISDA) headquarters today.

The objective of the meeting was to reach an understanding and consensus in support of the government's intention to establish the Malaysia-China Institute (MCI).

According to him, the selected young talents have passed Levels 2 and 3 of the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) certified by the Skills Development Department (JPK) and will undergo training in eight main skill areas.

"The skill areas involved are electric vehicles, solar technology, e-commerce, digital, and information and communication technology, electricity and electronics, railway technology, manufacturing-related services, and machinery and equipment.

"Among the participating institutions are Accelskill Academy, Advance Technology Academy (ATA), Akademi Binaan Malaysia Wilayah Utara, Auto Prima College, Institut Delta Semarak, Kolej Kemahiran Johor and Institut Teknologi Maju," he said in a statement tonight.

On January 16th, the Deputy Prime Minister and National TVET Council chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, announced that the Chinese government and industries were prepared to offer additional scholarships for 1,000 Malaysian students to undergo skills training for a duration ranging from three months to one year.

The scholarship offer was executed through a collaboration with MCI as part of the 'Belt and Road Initiative inspired by the Chinese government, designed for countries receiving investments under the initiative.

Today's meeting was chaired by RISDA chairman, Manndzri Nasib who is also Tenggara Member of Parliament and has been entrusted to lead the MCI Coordinator team.

--BERNAMA