KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — All construction companies must not prioritise local skilled labour when hiring workers, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, also rural and regional development minister, said the government will incur long-term losses if the construction sector continues to rely on foreign workers.
“Housing developers, contractors and sub-contractors should not be selective in hiring workers in the construction sector.
“Yes, the cost might be lower if foreign workers are hired, but in the long term, the cost borne by the country and the cost to the GDP will be detrimental to the country. In this context, I believe the proactive measures taken by ABM (Malaysian Construction Academy) and CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia) Technologies should receive support from the government,” he said.
He said this at the launch of the slogan “CIDB Peneraju TVET Pembinaan” in conjunction with the 2024 Graduation Ceremony of ABM and CIDB Technologies students here today.
Also present were Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, and CIDB chairman Yusof Abd Wahab.
Zahid, who also heads the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, said the government wants the domestic construction sector to be fully driven by local skilled labour.
He said this year alone, about 60,000 engineers are needed, but the demand cannot be met, especially for skilled jobs where there is a significant gap.
“For that, I am very grateful to the 12 ministries that have TVET programmes, and among the most active TVET programmes is from the Works Ministry under the CIDB,” he said.
He said with the coordination measures taken, the National TVET Council now has its own secretariat, placed under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.
“This shows the government’s seriousness, and I myself always carry out coordination, monitoring and follow-ups by examining all the details of its implementation,” he said.
He urged local TVET institutions that offer construction courses to refer to the CIDB to ensure their certificates are accredited by the CIDB.
This follows the CIDB’s establishment of the Construction Skills Qualification Framework (CSQF), a framework designed to provide a structured approach for skills development and training in the construction industry in Malaysia, he said.
He said through the CSQF, the CIDB has implemented various improvements such as obtaining ISO/IEC 17024:2012 Certification Standards; enhancing teaching and learning materials; developing TVET construction entrepreneurs; and focusing on high-impact training.
Zahid said the successful implementation of the CSQF will make the CIDB the centre of TVET for the construction industry, and position Malaysia as a centre of skilled professionals in the global construction arena, in line with the Malaysia Madani TVET Vision towards a developed country based on skilled human capital.
At the event, 150 graduates received the Construction Skills Competency Certificate, and 15 outstanding graduates were recognised from various skill trades, including chargeman, crane operator, gas pipe fitter, plumbing welder and scaffolder.
— Bernama
