Conceptualisation of a Graduate Employability Framework from a Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

Skills shortage among graduates is a serious constraint in Malaysia and according to Bank Negara Malaysia, graduate employability in Malaysia is a rising concern as graduates represent 23 per cent of total youth unemployment. As Malaysia aggressively sets course towards becoming a high-income economy, the need for skilled manpower is said to be expanding across key industries. To ensure a productive workforce, the country must have a high-quality flow of talent supply to fill these jobs. Hence, the study investigates the antecedents of graduate employability in Malaysia by researching a key stakeholder group, which is the employer.Using a qualitative research methodology, ten employers were interviewed using in-depth interviews to explore and enrich the graduate employability framework. The qualitative phase inducted the ‘graduate training’ construct and its sub-constructs of ‘internship’, ‘mentoring’ and ‘talent management’, as perceived by the employers, which were added as enrichment to the graduate employability framework. It also affirmed and authenticated the ‘soft skills’ construct drawn from literature. By incorporating the findings from the qualitative phase, an enriched framework eventuated. This enriched framework brings these previously omitted dimensions to the forefront.

Assessment of Employable Skills of Management Students in University of Cape Coast

“…Therefore, the study investigated the causes of graduate employability in Malaysia by involving a key stakeholder group, which is the employer. Nesaratnam, Karan and Von (2018) employed a qualitative research approach by interviewing ten employers to explore and enrich the graduate employability framework. The study affirmed and validated the 'soft skills' construct indicated by literature, that is, communication, teamwork, problem solving and leadership skills.…”

“…The fourth highest possessed skill indicated by the student was ability to identify and critically assess problem and devise a plan of action for its solution. Just like the supervisors, Weligamage (2009) and Nesaratnam, Karan and Von (2018) affirmed that problem solving skills was critical for the success of management graduates. However, Orji (2013), concluded that students possessed low level of competency in problem solving.…”

“…These rapid changes have caused a new dimension in the skills set desired by employers. Thus, employers now expect employees as well as graduates to possess and exhibit key competencies such as leadership, communication, team work, problem solving and technological skills (Reddy, 2019;Nesaratnam, Karan & Von, 2018;Abas & Imam, 2016;Ekpoh, 2015). The notion and meaning of employability thus have, over a span of time, been mentioned due to the increasing interest in enhancing employability of graduates.…”

Employability of distance education graduates of a public university in Ghana

“…For instance, Samkin and Stainbank (2016) noted that the curricula of higher education institutions (HEIs) have not succeeded in preparing work-ready graduates to meet the changing skill requirements of employers. Moreover, Nesaratnam and Gayen (2018) observed that, despite the growing calls from stakeholders for HEIs to develop employable skills in graduates, business communities continue to lament the lack of graduates who meet employers’ requirements and expectations.…”

“…Graduates with similar characteristics are competing for jobs while the labour needs of industry continue to decline as a result of the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence. These trends are having negative impacts on graduate employment throughout the world: for instance, in Malaysia it is reported that graduate unemployment accounts for 23% of the total youth unemployment (Nesaratnam and Karan, 2018).…”