Employability Skills Needed for TVET Graduates in Malaysia: Perspective of Industry Expert

Abstract

Employability skills are a very significant attribute especially to TVET graduates as it is closely related to career readiness. Nevertheless, many studies have found the gap between TVET graduates’ employability skills with industry needs. Their study found that industries need TVET graduates who possess communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, problem solving and entrepreneurial skills. However, many studies have found that TVET graduates have problems communicating effectively and lack of self-confidence. Therefore, this qualitative study was conducted to identify the employability skills required by the industry through the perspective of industry experts themselves. The findings of the study found that employability skills needed for TVET graduates are social and communication, technological literacy, teamwork and leadership. Therefore, stakeholders in TVET need to pay attention to this matter by producing TVET graduates who possess employability as required by the industry. Concurrently, the success of this collaboration depends on the strategic and tactical approaches made by TVET institutions and industries.