Where to study Engineering & Skilled Trades in Malaysia, and who funds it

Real courses to shortlist after SPM, grouped by route, and the bodies that help pay for them. Every rule here comes from the institution's or the government's own page on 23 October 2026, and rules change each intake, so open each link before you apply. For the work itself and the licences each job needs, see Engineering & Skilled Trades after SPM.

Key facts

• ADTEC skills courses such as the three-phase wiring certificate at ADTEC Kota Kinabalu list free tuition, hostel and meals, with RM100 a month in pocket money.^[1]
• Polytechnic and community college programmes are open to every eligible SPM leaver; all UiTM programmes are reserved for Malay, Anak Negeri Sabah, Anak Negeri Sarawak and Orang Asli applicants.^[2]
• CIDB fully funds construction-skills training for Malaysians aged 17 to 35 at six Akademi Binaan Malaysia campuses, including Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.^[3]
• JPA's Dermasiswa B40 is a grant for diplomas, including TVET diplomas at polytechnics, TVETMARA, IKTBN and ADTEC, for households with per-capita income of RM5,249 a month or less.^[4]
• UP_TVET takes applications for its January 2027 intake until 16 November 2026; its July intake opens after SPM results.^[5][6]

Programmes to look at, by route

Each entry gives the institution, the programme name as officially listed, the level, length, entry rules and a link. We looked up one accreditation record ourselves; for the rest, check it on the MQR before you accept a place. ADTEC lists its certificates as recognised by the Department of Skills Development (JPK), so ask each skills institute which certificate you will get.^[1]

Skills certificates at public training institutes

Apply for these on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab), the single application site for public TVET courses, unless the entry says otherwise.

• ADTEC JTM Kampus Kota Kinabalu (ILP Kota Kinabalu), Sabah: Sijil Teknologi Elektrik Pendawaian Tiga Fasa. SKM Level 3, 24 months. Malaysian citizens aged 17 to 35 with at least an E in SPM Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics) and one science or technical subject, and no colour blindness. Free tuition, hostel and meals, RM100 a month pocket money and RM300 a month during practical training.^[1] The same course is listed at ADTEC Sandakan and ADTEC Miri.^[7][8] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• ADTEC JTM Kampus Miri (ILP Miri), Sarawak: Sijil Teknologi Kimpalan (welding). SKM Level 3, 27 months. Malaysian citizens aged 17 to 35 who finished Form 5, or who have no formal schooling but an interest in the field. Free tuition, hostel and meals, with the same allowances.^[9] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• ADTEC JTM Kampus Tangkak (ILP Tangkak), Johor: Sijil Teknologi Mekatronik. SKM Level 3, 18 months. Ages 17 to 35, finished Form 5 or no formal schooling with an interest, no colour blindness. Free tuition, hostel and meals, with the same allowances.^[10] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• GiatMARA Beaufort, Sabah: Teknologi Automotif (Tahap 2). SKM Level 2, 6 months, with January and July intakes. For Bumiputera Malaysians aged 15 and over; no formal schooling needed, only an interest and the ability to read and write. The page lists an allowance of RM200 a month, subject to conditions and allocation.^[11] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM), CIDB's training academy: Program Latihan Kompetensi Kemahiran Pembinaan (youth programme). Ten construction fields, including building wiring, three-phase installation, air-conditioning, grid-connected solar, welding and crane operation. For Malaysian citizens aged 17 to 35 (the mechanical and electrical courses ask that you have at least sat SPM); 60 per cent practical, with CIDB's skills competency certificate (SKKP) if you pass. Register interest on ABM's site and ABM contacts you; places are limited to CIDB's sponsorship quota.^[3][12] Course lengths are in each trade's schedule: youth programme page(opens in a new tab).

Skills diplomas (DKM) at public training institutes

• Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Kinarut, Sabah: Diploma Teknologi Elektrik (Penjaga Jentera Elektrik A1). DKM Level 4, 36 months. A pass in SPM Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah and a credit (C) in Mathematics, a science or a technical subject; ages 17 to 30. Allowance of RM100 a month and RM300 during industrial training, with accommodation and meals provided. The page lists competent chargeman among its career prospects.^[13] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• TVETMARA Kuching (Institut Kemahiran MARA Kuching), Sarawak: Diploma Kompetensi Elektrik (Domestik dan Industri). DKM Level 4, 36 months, for Bumiputera applicants aged 17 to 45. SPM passes in Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, Mathematics and a science or vocational subject, plus two credits, and no colour blindness. The page says the programme is recognised by the Energy Commission and that graduates can sit its PW3 or PW4 wiring competency exams.^[14] TVETMARA Kota Kinabalu lists the same diploma.^[15] Course page(opens in a new tab)
• ADTEC JTM Kampus Bintulu, Sarawak: Diploma Teknologi Kimpalan (DKM Tahap 4). 16 months, for ages 17 to 35, and you need an SKM Level 3 in a welding field to enter.^[16] This is the next rung after a welding certificate such as the one at ADTEC Miri. Course page(opens in a new tab)

Polytechnic and community college programmes

Apply through UPU (the central application for public universities, polytechnics and community colleges) or the MyPOLYCC intake portal(opens in a new tab).^[2][17]

• Politeknik Kuching Sarawak, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, Politeknik Mukah Sarawak and 15 other polytechnics: Diploma Kejuruteraan Mekanikal. 6 semesters. SPM passes in Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah and English, and three credits: Mathematics, a science, technical or vocational subject, and one other. An SKM Level 3 in a related field also qualifies.^[18] On the MQR, Politeknik Kuching Sarawak's Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (MQA/FA13170) is accredited from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2030 at MQF Level 4, with the Board of Engineers Malaysia as its professional body.^[19] Programme page(opens in a new tab)
• Politeknik Kota Bharu, Politeknik Mersing, Politeknik Merlimau and four other polytechnics: Diploma Kejuruteraan Elektrik. 6 semesters, with the same SPM rule. A community college Sijil Teknologi Elektrik or related SKM Level 3 also qualifies.^[20] Programme page(opens in a new tab)
• Kolej Komuniti Tawau, Sandakan and Beaufort (Sabah), Kolej Komuniti Santubong (Sarawak) and 19 other community colleges: Sijil Teknologi Elektrik. 4 semesters. SPM with one credit and a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah, or an SKM Level 2.^[21] Programme page(opens in a new tab)

If your SPM Mathematics is weak, nine polytechnic engineering diplomas, including Diploma Kejuruteraan Elektronik and Diploma Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (Pembuatan), take a D or E in Mathematics and English with three credits including a science, technical or vocational subject; you then pass a Mathematics course in your first semester.^[17]

University diplomas through UPU

• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Pagoh campus, Johor: Diploma Kejuruteraan Elektrik (UB4522001). 5 semesters, open to every eligible applicant. UPU's programme guide lists a C in SPM Bahasa Melayu, an E in Sejarah and two more Cs, and says students who failed or did not take Additional Mathematics must pass a Mathematics support course in the first year.^[22][2]
• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Samarahan 2 (Sarawak), Jengka, Pasir Gudang and Permatang Pauh campuses: Diploma Kejuruteraan Awam (UE4526003). 6 semesters; reserved for Malay, Anak Negeri Sabah, Anak Negeri Sarawak and Orang Asli applicants, like all UiTM programmes. Same general SPM rule.^[23][2]

Search each code on e-Panduan UPU(opens in a new tab) and read its Syarat Khas (special requirements) tab, where subject grades are set.

Engineering degrees through UPU

• Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM): Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Elektrik Dengan Kepujian (UC6522001). 8 semesters, entered after matrikulasi or asasi. For 2026/27 it asked for a CGPA of at least 2.00, a C in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (or an engineering subject) at matrikulasi, MUET Band 2.0, and an SPM credit in Bahasa Melayu with a pass in Sejarah.^[24] UPU also has entry categories for holders of a university, polytechnic or community college diploma and for DKM and DLKM holders, so a diploma is another way in.^[25] If you want to become a registered engineer, check the degree on BEM's list of accredited programmes(opens in a new tab) before you accept.

Who funds study in this area

The ADTEC courses above list free tuition, and the IKBN and GiatMARA courses list monthly allowances. None of the sponsor pages below showed a 2027 window for SPM leavers: the 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026.

Government

• JPA Dermasiswa B40 (DB40). A grant for diplomas at public universities, polytechnics, TVETMARA and selected public skills institutes (IKTBN and ADTEC), in fields including engineering and technical subjects. You need to be sitting SPM for the first time, be under 19 on 31 December of your SPM year (under 20 for transition-class students), and come from a household with per-capita income of RM5,249 a month or less. For polytechnics and universities you need credits in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah and at least a C in three other subjects; for TVETMARA, IKTBN and ADTEC, a C in one other subject. You cannot take another sponsorship at the same level.^[4] The 2026 round, for SPM 2025 leavers, was open from 3 to 16 August 2026.^[26] JPA's portal showed no 2027 student window on 23 October 2026.^[27]
• PTPK skills training loans. PTPK, an agency of the Ministry of Human Resources, lends to school leavers and to workers taking skills training at public and private skills institutes.^[28] The ADTEC course pages say you can apply for a PTPK training loan.^[1][16]
• MARA TESP. A loan for a diploma or first degree at local institutions MARA approves, for Bumiputera applicants with at least one Bumiputera parent; diploma applicants must be under 30, and B40 and M40 families get priority. The page showed no window.^[29]
• PTPTN. The national study loan for diplomas and degrees: see PTPTN basics.

Industry

• CIDB pays in full for the ABM youth construction-skills programme above, within its sponsorship quota.^[3]
• PETRONAS trains welders, fitters, riggers and scaffolders at its own institutes (INSTEP, Akademi Laut Malaysia and Kimanis Petroleum Training Centre) and supports other TVET institutions through VISTA, with courses such as 6G welding, wireman and chargeman. Its education sponsorship for SPM leavers (at least 8A and CEFR B1 for local study) was closed, with no next date given.^[30]
• Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN), TNB's foundation, lists electrical power, mechanical, civil, electronic and nuclear engineering among the fields of its Prime Scholarship, at UNITEN, public universities or overseas. Some entries are only for children of TNB staff, and the page did not show an open window.^[31]

State

• Yayasan Sarawak lends up to RM10,000 a year for course fees at skills and technical institutes on its panel, for full-time trainees aged 16 to 30 who are anak jati Sarawak (at least one Sarawakian parent).^[32]
• Other states, including Sabah, run their own schemes: see Scholarships and loans by state.

More: the Scholarships and loans guide, and Aid eligibility and cash before aid for who qualifies and the cash you need before aid arrives.

When applications open

• UP_TVET: applications for the January 2027 intake run from 1 October to 16 November 2026.^[5] The July intake opens after SPM results are released.^[6] If you are waiting for SPM 2026 results, July is your intake for courses that ask for SPM grades.
• Polytechnics and community colleges: the Session II 2026/2027 intake opened on 28 August 2026, and results come out from 26 October 2026.^[17] The portal did not show a window for SPM 2026 leavers on 23 October 2026.
• Universities: see the UPU application timeline.

What this means for you

• You do not need straight As to start. Several public skills courses take E grades, or no formal grades at all, and the ADTEC courses here list free tuition, hostel and meals.
• A skills certificate is a first rung. An SKM Level 3 can take you into a DKM at ADTEC or a polytechnic diploma, and a diploma can lead to a degree.
• Some routes are open only to some applicants. The UiTM, GiatMARA and TVETMARA courses on this page are for Bumiputera applicants; the polytechnic, community college, ADTEC, IKBN and UTHM entries are open to any eligible Malaysian citizen.
• Funding windows can be short: DB40's 2026 round was open for two weeks. The 2027 windows have not been announced, so check the sponsor pages weekly from December and again when your SPM results are out.
• Course lists change each intake. A course on this page may not run next year, so confirm it on the official page before you plan around it.

Your next step

1. Shortlist three programmes on different routes, for example one UP_TVET skills course, one polytechnic diploma and one university diploma. For each, open its page, write down what it asks for, and look up the diploma on the MQR.
2. Note one funding window to watch. If your family's per-capita income is RM5,249 a month or less, that is JPA's DB40 for 2027: check JPA's sponsorship portal(opens in a new tab) each week once SPM results are out.