KUCHING: The government should re-examine the salary structure for technicians and technical and vocational education trained (TVET) semi-professionals as this group of workers are currently being viewed as second-class manpower.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, who made the call, said because the civil service veered towards academic qualifications rather than skills, many people tended to shy away from pursing technical education whenever possible.
"It is easier in the private sector because a person's remuneration is usually based on their skills, capability and productivity, but not in the civil service.
"In the government sector, once you don't have the paper qualification, you will go nowhere no matter how good you are, or even if you have passed your diplomas or certificates with flying colours."
He said this to reporters yesterday after representing the chief minister to open the inaugural National Conference for Technicians and TVET Semi-Professionals (SwakCREATE 2013) here.
The event was organised by Politeknik Kuching Sarawak (PKS) and the Malaysian Society for Engineering and Technology (MySET).
Manyin said if the government were serious in promoting technical and vocational education, then it needed to look into this shortcoming because currently technicians and TVET semi-professionals are categorised as "supporting officers" under Grade B.
He opined that they should be categorised as Grade A officers, and enjoy same perks as degree holders.
"Because of our present system, most people, especially parents, consider being a technician or TVET semi-professional only as second choice, or even as the final resort."
Manyin said this state of affair should not be allowed to persist if Malaysia wanted to become a developed nation.
"The conference today is most appropriate in view of the ever increasing demand for technicians, but, unfortunately, the profession is not being recognised and appreciated to the level they deserved."
Earlier, MySET president Prof. Dato Abang Abdullah Abang Ali, who was also present at the press conference, lamented that very little emphasis had been put on this category of workers.
"They have no one to turn to. Unlike those from many other professions, technicians and TVET semi-professionals are not protected under certain laws.
"MySET realised this, and, in fact, we have submitted our draft for the establishment of Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT), but unfortunately it got stuck in the Attorney-General's Office for about two years now.
"Anyway, we will continue to push for MBOT to be tabled in Parliament, and be implemented. We feel this matter has been long, long overdue."
Also present at the news conference were the Education Ministry's Polytechnic Studies Department director-general Datuk Mohlis Jaafar and Politeknik Kuching Sarawak director Clara Ong Guat Leng.
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