Held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and in conjunction with the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, the ASEAN TVET Conference (ATVET) was convened on 13–14 August 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), Malaysia. The event brought together over 1000 participants including government representatives, employer federations, training providers, international partners and development organisations to advance regional cooperation on skills development.
Organised by the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia through Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), and supported by the ASEAN Secretariat and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the conference carried the theme “Advancing Digital and Green Transformations through an Inclusive and Future-Ready TVET System”.
Key highlights:
- Ministerial and High-Level Remarks: Officiating and opening addresses by key figures to share commitment in positioning TVET as a driver of industrial competitiveness, social inclusion and sustainable growth.
- The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Chairman of The National TVET Council (MTVET)
- The Honourable Mr. Steven Sim Chee Keong – Minister of Human Resources Malaysia
- H.E Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary – General of ASEAN
- Ms. Kaori Nakamura-Osaka – Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, ILO
- Presentations: Covering priority themes such as building ASEAN’s future with green skills and digital innovation, advancing green transformation through TVET, equipping the workforce with digital skills for a future-ready ASEAN and closing digital and green divides through inclusive transitions.
- Panel Discussions: Exploring strategies for digital innovation, greening TVET, industry collaboration, South-South cooperation and inclusive approaches to ensure equitable access to skills.
- Case Study and Stories That Inspire: Engaging stakeholders through case studies, practical examples and inspiring stories that demonstrated how TVET can address skills mismatches, unlock opportunities in digital and green sectors and promote inclusive access.
- Exhibition: Featuring innovative training tools, digital and green technologies and best practices from TVET institutions, industry leaders and international partners, providing participants with hands-on insights and networking opportunities.
Conclusion:
ASEAN TVET 2025 concluded with a clear vision to reimagine skills systems as engines of digital and green growth. The conference reinforced regional commitment to reducing skills mismatches, advancing equitable access, strengthening industry collaboration and leveraging technology for innovation. Delegates left with a shared resolve to ensure TVET remains at the heart of ASEAN’s journey towards a skilled, competitive and inclusive workforce.
