By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The graduate employability rate for Work-Based Learning (WBL) programmes under the Polytechnic and Community College (POLYCC) system has reached between 97% and 100%, highlighting the effectiveness of industry-based training in producing skilled workers.
The achievement is supported by partnerships with more than 500 industry partners, including YTL Construction, Gamuda, Sunway Construction and Micron Memory.
In line with this achievement, Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) has been selected as the Centre of Excellence hub for POLYCC’s WBL programmes to strengthen coordination and bridge the gap between academic learning and actual industry requirements.
The centre was officially launched by Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ts. Dr Haji Aminuddin Hassim during the POLYCC Work-Based Learning Summit 2026 at PUO here on October 29.
Aminuddin said the success of WBL should not be measured solely by graduate employability, but also by its ability to produce highly skilled technical and professional talent capable of contributing to innovation and national economic growth.
He highlighted three priorities to strengthen WBL implementation: compliance with quality standards, improving the competencies of lecturers and industry mentors, and adopting data-driven management to monitor programme effectiveness systematically.
Meanwhile, PUO director Dr Salmi Che Meh said the institution’s selection as the WBL Centre of Excellence hub recognised its capabilities in leading technical and vocational education and training (TVET), while strengthening strategic ties with industry.
She said industry partnerships were essential to ensuring students acquired competencies aligned with labour market requirements.
Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK) director-general Dr Shamsuri Abdullah said POLYCC’s WBL programmes currently involved 25 institutions nationwide, comprising 11 polytechnics and 14 community colleges.
He said the establishment of the centre would strengthen programme coordination and ensure structured industry training was implemented more systematically, with higher quality and greater impact.
WBL was first introduced at community colleges in 2007, followed by polytechnics in 2008.
The POLYCC Work-Based Learning Summit 2026, which brought together more than 500 participants, also provided a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation exhibitions and stronger collaboration between TVET institutions and industry players.
Industry partners involved included the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and Crescent Gear Solution Sdn Bhd (CGS), which also supported WBL placements, knowledge sharing, student character development and community service initiatives.
