The ASEAN TVET turned into a vibrant space of ideas, collaboration and forward-looking dialogue, drawing over 1,500 delegates and 25 expert speakers. More than just a meeting of minds, the two-day gathering advanced ASEAN’s shared mission - preparing a workforce ready to thrive in an era shaped by digital transformation and green growth. From bold policy commitments to fresh innovations pitched by young talents, the conference set the stage for a defining moment in how the region reimagines skills, education and opportunity.

Jointly organised by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Skills Development Fund Corporation (Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran – PTPK), both agencies under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), the conference carried the theme of ‘Advancing Digital and Green Transformations through an Inclusive and Future-Ready TVET System’, highlighting the critical role of TVET in equipping the region’s workforce for a rapidly evolving global economy.

TVET as ASEAN’s Shared Mission

**Dr. Syed Alwi bin Mohamed Sultan, Chief Executive of Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), giving his epilogue on day 2 of ASEAN TVET Conference**

At the Epilogue Session: Day 2, Dr. Syed Alwi bin Mohamed Sultan, Chief Executive of HRD Corp, underscored TVET’s vital role in shaping ASEAN’s future and fostering regional unity. He highlighted that TVET goes beyond education - it drives economic growth, reduces youth unemployment, supports entrepreneurship and SMEs and promotes social inclusion.

“Let us continue our collaboration as one region, strengthening partnerships and working together to modernise curricula, enhance industry linkages and make TVET a first-class opportunity,” concluded Dr. Syed Alwi.

Driving Inclusive Digital and Green Transitions through TVET

**Mohd Fathullah bin Mustafa, Chief Executive of Skills Development Fund Corporation Malaysia (PTPK) giving his epilogue on day 1 of ASEAN TVET Conference**

Reflecting on the discussions during the Epilogue Session: Day 1, Mohd Fathullah bin Mustafa, Chief Executive of PTPK, highlighted how the conference had surfaced bold ideas and meaningful opportunities for regional collaboration.

He emphasised that ASEAN TVET plays a critical role in driving inclusive digital and green transitions across the region, noting that systems must embrace innovation to enhance training quality, strengthen institutional capacity and ensure equitable access to future-ready skills.

“What we want to achieve from this conference goes beyond dialogue,” he added. “Our goal is to produce actionable outcomes - guiding principles to help ASEAN Member States build TVET systems that integrate digital and green priorities, along with a documented set of good practices for demand-driven and inclusive TVET through stronger collaboration between governments, institutions, industries and workers.”

Dr. Rony Ambrose Gobilee, Chief Strategy Officer of HRD Corp and Organising Chairman of ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025 (left) and Dr. Syed Alwi bin Mohamed Sultan, Chief Executive of HRD Corp (third from right) with 1st place winner of Innovator Pitch competition: Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) Jerantut, Pahang

The ASEAN TVET wrapped up on a celebratory note with the Innovator Pitch Day: ASEAN Future-Makers Challenge 2025, where fresh ideas and bold solutions took centre stage. The challenge, created to spotlight the technical talent and entrepreneurial spirit of TVET graduates and industry partners, drew 58 submissions nationwide from 1 – 30 July 2025 via the AYOS 2025 portal. From these, 20 standout teams earned the chance to pitch their innovations live to an audience of delegates and judges.

The winners were:

First Prize: Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) Jerantut, Pahang
Runner-up: Proton Institute (ADTEC Melaka)
Second Runner-up: UUM International Secondary School Melaka

Complementing the conference sessions was an exhibition featuring 57 exhibitors, presenting homegrown innovations, training solutions and technologies that demonstrate the nation’s capability to drive digital and green skills development.

Charting a Future-Ready Workforce Through TVET

**Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Chairman of the National TVET Council (MTVET), delivering his officiating speech.**

ASEAN TVET’s opening ceremony, held on the first day, was officiated by YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Chairman of the National TVET Council (MTVET). In his address, he reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to placing TVET at the core of both national and regional development strategies.He emphasised that the ASEAN TVET must be more than a platform for discussion, calling for it to deliver concrete results that address market needs and drive meaningful change.

“This conference must spark policies that meet market needs, open opportunities for all, make employers true partners and fast-track cutting-edge learning. This is how ASEAN will shape a workforce that is inclusive, future-ready and poised to lead the global TVET industry.”

“From this very gathering, we can establish a new regional movement - the ASEAN Green and Digital Skills Taskforce - uniting us in concrete actions, measurable targets and steadfast mutual support to cultivate the talent our region needs”, said Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid in his speech.

Forging ASEAN Synergy Through Skills

**The Honourable Mr Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia, delivering his speech.**

Also present during the opening ceremony was YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia, who called for deeper ASEAN cooperation to ensure skills systems are future-ready, inclusive and industry-aligned.

He said, “In an age when AI can do the thinking, the world still needs those who can build, repair, operate, communicate, supervise and organise. These are human and social elements requiring skills, competence and trust. These elements will outlast the hype cycles of technology. In other words, skills training is the currency of the day.”

He added, “To fully realise the potential of ASEAN, we must move towards a long overdue higher synergy in a common certification framework. If skills are the currency of IR 4.0, then in order for greater advancement of the ASEAN skills market, we must work hard towards mutual recognition.”

The ASEAN TVET is the fourth flagship platform under AYOS 2025, held in conjunction with Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. Through the upcoming flagship platforms of AYOS 2025 which include the National Human Capital Conference & Exhibition (NHCCE), Global Skills Forum (GSF) and the ASEAN Forum of Manpower Ministers for Human Capital Development (AFMM-HCD), Malaysia will continue to drive human development agenda that aims to promote bold collaborations, strengthen industry engagement and embed environmental sustainability into skills systems. For more information on the AYOS 2025 and upcoming flagship platforms, visit www.aseanyearofskills.org.