TVET Education Central to Building Sabah’s Future Workforce

9 January 2026

SANDAKAN: Students at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions have been urged to prepare themselves as highly skilled human capital to support the state’s development agenda under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) plan.

The Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Sungai Manila, YB Tuan Hazeem Mubarak Musa, said that the transformation from a student into a competent graduate is a key factor in meeting the increasingly demanding needs of modern industry.

“Human capital development is the most important investment for the future of the state. We want to produce Sabah’s young people who not only possess academic qualifications, but also high-level skills, competence and the ability to compete at the global level,” he said, quoting the message of the Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor.

He made these remarks when officiating at the Student Transformation Week (MTS) at Politeknik Sandakan Sabah today.

According to YB Tuan Hazeem, Politeknik Sandakan plays a strategic role as a ‘factory’ producing young technocrats who will drive economic growth, particularly in the Sandakan area. He also stressed that the employability of TVET graduates has now become a higher priority for employers than theoretical qualifications alone.

“You are the ‘engine’ of our economic transformation. Do not merely wait for opportunities; create them through innovation and the skills you acquire here,” he added.

At the ceremony, a total of 144 new students officially began their studies at Politeknik Sandakan Sabah. The Student Transformation Week programme aims to instil leadership qualities, a strong sense of identity and adaptability among students, while helping them adjust to the dynamic campus environment.

Also present at the event were members of the polytechnic’s senior management team and local community leaders.