Abstract
TVET graduates contribute greatly to the country’s development. Issues regarding the readiness of TVET graduates upon entering the industry have been raised especially on their level of proficiency in the English language. English language proficiency is important and has become one of the top five reasons for recruiting fresh graduates. Not only do TVET graduates need to excel in technical skills, but they also need to be equipped with other essential skills such as communication skills especially English language competency. Employers place strong communication skills at the top of their priority list, and this is the first thing they look for in every new employee interested in working for their separate businesses. TVET education content needs to be on par with the industrial demand and the active role of the industries in giving direct feedback to the educational institutions is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the importance of English competency and the challenges of teaching English in technical institutions. Apart from that, this study also suggests some measures that can be implemented in enhancing TVET graduates’ marketability in the workplace.
Highlights
Do Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates need to excel in technical skills, but they need to be equipped with other essential skills such as communication skills especially English language competency
Apart from that, this study suggests some measures that can be implemented in enhancing TVET graduates’ marketability in the workplace
Due to the lack of English language competency in the targeted field, employers have raised this issue during the annual meeting between the TVET institution with the representatives from the industries as it affects the operational performance of the business (Azli, Shah, & Maslawati, 2018)
Summary
Educations’ website, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is full time and a lifelong learning of technical and vocational training offered to individuals from various stages in the society in preparing them for the working environment to contribute to the national economic growth. Among the institutions that offer TVET under the Ministry of Education Malaysia is Malaysian Technical University (MTUN) which consists of UTHM, UNiMAP, UTeM and UMP, Polytechnics, Community Colleges, Vocational Colleges and Technical Secondary Schools. The Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education aims to be the leading-edge TVET institution in Malaysia. The graduate marketability rate of the year 2018 for Polytechnic was 96.1% while 96.5% for Community College (Department of Polytechnic Education, 2021). Sulaiman and Salleh (2016) mentioned that as Malaysia is heading towards becoming a higher advanced income nation in the near future, it is important to keep on developing and strengthening skilled workers’ competencies by ensuring that suitable education and training is done to cater to the needs of the industry and business. This study will help in understanding the importance of English competency among TVET graduates in enhancing their marketability in the workplace
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