Sabah Polytechnic Champions TVET Dialogue to Drive Food Security and Skilled Workforce

27 September 2025

SANDAKAN: Politeknik Sandakan Sabah (PSS) placed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the centre of Sabah’s future development by hosting a high-impact Focus Group Dialogue (FGD) as the highlight of the TVET Madani POLYCC Sabah 2025 Career Expo.

Held today at the Main Lecture Hall of PSS, the dialogue gathered leading experts from economic development agencies and key industries to address pressing issues, explore opportunities for innovation, and map out the skills needed to strengthen Sabah’s agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing sectors.

In his keynote address, Sedafiat Sdn. Bhd. Chief Executive Officer and CEO@POLYCC,Datuk Ag. Buhtamam Ag. Mahmun, underscored the importance of food security in achieving Sabah’s ambition of becoming the nation’s Food Valley.

“Food security is vital if Sabah is to establish itself as Malaysia’s food basket, and TVET is the vehicle to produce the skilled workforce needed to realise this vision,” he said.

Industry panellists discussed the rising demands of the labour market and highlighted how TVET programmes must evolve to deliver a competent, competitive workforce ready to contribute to Sabah’s economy. They emphasised TVET’s role in equipping graduates with modern technological skills to improve both yield and quality in agriculture and fisheries.

The FGD also sought direct input from industry players on current skill requirements while encouraging closer collaboration with TVET institutions. Such cooperation is expected to ensure relevant curricula, guarantee student placements, and establish TVET as the primary driver of a highly skilled workforce for Sabah’s future.

The session closed with a call to students to embrace new perspectives and opportunities, positioning themselves as the next generation of innovators and contributors to the state’s sustainable growth.