PENGERANG: Educational institutions must expedite the introduction of new courses and disciplines to produce more skilled workers and local experts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this is vital to ensure the country keeps pace with development, particularly in high-technology sectors.

“Universities take a long time to approve new programmes, which is no longer suitable given the rapid pace of technological advancement today. A delay of up to two years in introducing new disciplines can cause the country to lag behind, especially in information technology and digital fields that are evolving rapidly,” he said at the launch of the Pengerang Vocational College project at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tanjung Pengelih today.

Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Anwar said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions must also be strengthened with new fields and disciplines to meet evolving industry needs.

“So far, there have been encouraging achievements in TVET, with experts far more capable than we previously required. The country must be driven with renewed dynamism and cannot afford to fall behind… TVET must be elevated to the highest level,” he said.

He added that the younger generation must master these new skills and disciplines, reducing the country’s reliance on foreign labour in critical sectors.

Anwar said the government has approved an allocation of RM100 million for the construction of the Pengerang Vocational College project, describing it as a strategic move aligned with Pengerang’s role as the nation’s oil and gas industry hub.

He said that the project should be expedited and adhere to a fixed construction schedule to ensure it benefits the local community and the Pengerang area.

The project, expected to be completed in 2030, will be implemented in two phases, covering the construction of new buildings, refurbishment and upgrading works, and the procurement of furniture and equipment.

The vocational college, with a maximum capacity of 360 students, will offer courses supporting the national oil and gas industry ecosystem, including Welding Technology (Oil and Gas), Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (HEV) Automotive Technology, and Information Technology (Cybersecurity Systems).