Perak’s TVET elderly care programme projected to generate RM1.75m income for practitioners

IPOH, July 8 — The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Elderly Care Programme implemented by the Perak state government since 2023 is projected to generate RM1.75 million in cumulative income for its practitioners, driven by growing demand for elderly care services.

State Women, Family, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed said 66 per cent of alumni from the Professional Certification Elderly Care Course under the Santunan Kasih initiative reported higher monthly income as of Dec 2025, while 25 per cent had doubled their earnings.

She said the programme, conducted with strategic partners including UniKL RCMP, Sunshine Qualicare Sdn Bhd, Retirement and Recreation Management Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Association of Social Care and Care Home Professionals (MASOC Care), had trained about 356 participants since its launch in 2023.

“Currently, we can only provide certificates of completion as there is no formal accreditation body for this field, even at the federal level.

“However, the skills acquired have enabled participants to offer elderly care services, with some earning between RM7,000 and RM15,000 a month,” she told reporters after officiating the Santunan Kasih Dinner here last night.

Salbiah said about 66 per cent of those trained were now directly involved in providing elderly care services, while others applied their skills to care for family members.

She said some participants had also turned their expertise into social enterprises by establishing businesses in the elderly care sector.

“We are focusing on developing social enterprises and will look into ways to support participants who have started businesses in this field, especially entrepreneurs,” she said.

Salbiah also hoped the Federal Government would establish a dedicated accreditation system or recognised body for elderly care services to ensure caregivers’ skills receive official recognition.

She said such a framework was important as it would involve the development of a blueprint and legal considerations, particularly in determining responsibility and accountability for registered caregivers.

Salbiah said a recognised accreditation system would also enhance the value of skills acquired by caregivers, as Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation.

“We hope a body can be established to provide accreditation for elderly care so that the skills and expertise of these participants can be further recognised,” she said.

On trained caregivers serving outside Perak, Salbiah said the state government was refining mechanisms to retain skilled workers in the sector.

She said while Santunan Kasih was initially planned as a platform to connect trained caregivers with opportunities, legal and regulatory matters needed to be considered.

“Perak itself needs more people involved in elderly care services. It would be a loss if the talent we have trained moves elsewhere, especially when not many states have begun focusing on this sector,” she said. — Bernama