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This is backed by the rapid expansion of the industrial sector, which now comprises more than 395 manufacturing industries generating over 400,000 job opportunities.
At the Closing Ceremony of the YES! Rock The School Mega Edition 2025 held on 14 August, YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, Chief Minister of Melaka outlined the state’s progress in education, talent development, and job creation.
Education and skills on the rise
Highlighting Melaka’s progress in academic performance and interest in technical fields, Datuk Seri Rauf shared several key achievements:
- 18 students scored straight A+ in the 2024 SPM examinations which is more than three times higher than the previous year.
- Enrolment in TVET institutions grew by nearly 40%, bringing the total close to 7,000 students in 2025.
- Applications to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for TVET-related courses crossed 60,000.
- The state recorded the highest participation nationwide in the Malaysia Techlympics 2025, with over 450,000 entries.
Jobs and economic growth
From an economic perspective, Melaka is reaping the rewards of sustained investment in education and the industry. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 1.9% in Q1 2025, significantly lower than the national average of 3.1%.
This is backed by the rapid expansion of the industrial sector, which now comprises more than 395 manufacturing industries, together generating over 400,000 job opportunities.
“Melaka is on the right track – combining quality education, career opportunities, and progressive policies,” said the Datuk Seri Rauf.
Preparing youth for the future of work
The YES! Rock The School programme, jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), the Ministry of Education, and TalentCorp, convened over 700 students nationwide. The initiative is designed to help young people discover career opportunities in the digital and high-technology economy.
YBrs Tuan Sutekno Ahmad Belon, Deputy Secretary-General (Operations) of the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), said the world of work is evolving rapidly, with some roles becoming obsolete while new ones emerge each year. He added that through initiatives such as YES! Rock The School, KESUMA seeks to equip students with both technical expertise and soft skills that remain relevant across industries.
Similarly, Mohd Khuzzan bin Abu Bakar, Deputy Chairman of the TalentCorp Board of Directors, noted that TalentCorp is supporting youth development by providing critical occupations data and future skills projections through the Malaysia Critical Occupations List (MyCOL) and the MyMahir Impact Study. These efforts, he said, aim to ensure that Melaka’s youth are positioned to take on high-skilled job opportunities in the state.
Datuk Seri Rauf, meanwhile, called on young people in Melaka to prepare themselves to lead in future industries and to gain wider exposure to STEM-related fields.
He also highlighted that programmes such as YES! Rock The School provide students with early exposure to the future world of work through direct input from industry experts in areas such as AI, engineering, innovation, and financial literacy, while helping them build confidence through direct engagement.
“We want to see Melaka’s students, in particular, at the forefront of high-technology sectors, just as Melaka once stood as a globally respected centre of trade,” he shared.
Lead image / TalentCorp
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