Johor Sets RM4,000 Starting Salary For Skilled TVET Graduates
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the state hopes to prevent skilled graduates from seeking employment abroad.
By Aleya Natasha Mohd Ali — 04 Nov 2024, 12:06 PM
Johor is set to become the first state in Malaysia to implement premium salary packages for skilled workers trained under its Talent Development Council (JTDC)
According to the New Straits Times, this initiative aims to attract and retain skilled talents, particularly graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, with competitive salaries ranging from RM4,000 to RM5,000.
The JTDC, a pioneering effort in Malaysia, will develop strategies to ensure that skilled workers receive salaries comparable to those in Singapore, focusing on the 10 key sectors within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the establishment of the JTDC during its launch at the Johor Career Carnival at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre on 3 November
"We recognised the fierce competition for retaining skilled workers, especially with Singapore's higher minimum wage.
"Johor addressed this challenge by establishing a premium minimum salary of RM4,000 for diploma holders and RM5,000 for those with equivalent degree qualifications," he emphasised.
Zahid mentioned that Malaysia's minimum wage is RM1,700, while in Singapore, starting salaries can reach SGD1,500 (approximately RM5,210).
Under the JTDC programme, the Malaysian Skills Certificates (SKM) levels 1 and 2 will be equivalent to SPM, while SKM levels 3, 4, and 5 will correspond to a diploma.
SKM level 6 equates to a degree, level 7 to a master's, and level 8 to a PhD.
Zahid added that Johor hopes to remain attractive to skilled graduates from over 220 TVET institutes in the state to prevent them from seeking employment abroad
Meanwhile, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state will focus on producing skilled workers based on demand by coordinating all courses and training initiatives at the TVET institutes.
This effort is expected to bolster Johor's appeal within the JS-SEZ, which continues to attract both domestic and international investments.
