The Materials Processing Institute has played a key role in helping to develop technical and vocational training in Southeast Asia, after welcoming delegates from Malaysia.
The Institute hosted Malaysian delegates, including representatives from the Sarawak State Government and the Sarawak Skills Development Centre, as part of an educational study visit to showcase the UK’s excellence in technical and vocational education and training. The visit was organised by the UK Department for International Trade and co-hosted by The Training Gateway.
The Materials Processing Institute provided guidance on metallurgy to support the implementation of a proposed Metallurgy Centre which the country hopes will boost economic development in the west of the country.
According to the Malaysian Government, there is a 700,000 shortfall in workers within metallurgy and related sectors, so it has allocated RM4.8billion (£891m) to Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET), as part of the 11th Malaysian Plan.
Delegates were given a tour of the Materials Processing Institute’s facilities in Middlesbrough and provided with an insight into its innovative training courses, involving metallurgy and other related sectors. They were also given details of how the Institute’s Doctoral Academy supports Governments and industries worldwide through education, product and technology research and development.
The visit also involved a number of universities and training providers from across the UK.
Chris McDonald, Chief Executive at the Materials Processing Institute said: “In the last 12 months, we have welcomed a whole host of delegates from across the world, including the US, Sweden, Germany, Turkey and China and we are delighted to be part of another exciting visit. It is clear that vocational and technical education to help boost industrial sectors is a high priority within Malaysia and Southeast Asia. I hope our vast knowledge accrued over the past 70 years in research, product development and innovation, especially in metallurgy, will be of great use and help support their plans in this area.
“I would like to thank the Department for International Trade, the Training Gateway, and the Sarawak State Government for including the Institute in the official visit.”
Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, Director of the Workforce Development Unit for Sarawak State Government said, “Through education and training we want to develop the necessary skilled manpower to support the development of metallurgy and materials related industries, a visit like this is highlighting organisations with the expertise to help achieve this objective.
Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Haji Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the Sarawak Skills Development Centre added, “We have a lot of power demands and high energy intensive industries processing metals and other materials. A Centre for Metallurgy will help us to provide the trained and qualified manpower at all levels including graduates. It is very interesting to find out more about the training and materials expertise at the Materials Processing Institute”.