Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of industrial training in improving self-development skills, namely knowledge, work, and personal skills of urban and regional planning students. This study is important to help institutions of higher learning specifically and the industry generally understand how well IT can help students improve their self-development skills. A survey method was used in this study. The data were collected by using online questionnaires from 55 urban and regional planning final year students, with a response rate of 100 per cent. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean score, and inferential statistics, namely Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. This study found that there were significant differences in the students’ performance in knowledge, work, and personal skills from before and after industrial training. The study also found the detailed attributes for each skill improved by students after industrial training, namely 13 attributes for knowledge skills, 14 attributes for work skills, and 23 attributes for personal skills.This study was based on the perception of urban and regional planning students at one of the public universities in Malaysia. Being the first study to investigate the detailed attributes of three categories of self-development skills, improved in urban and regional planning students after industrial training that are specifically related to urban and regional planning, it contributes to the very limited research literature on the topic in the world generally and Malaysia specifically. Keywords: Industrial training, Effectiveness, Knowledge skills, Personal skills, Self-development skills, Work skills DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-3-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
Highlights
The mismatch between skills acquired by students throughout their higher education with the demands and the needs of the industry is not new around the world (Abidoye et al 2022; Dubey et al 2021; Fernandez-Chung et al 2015; Lowden et al 2011)
The results of this study provide an opportunity for any institutions of higher learning (IHL) that offered urban and regional planning programme to understand the benefits of industrial training (IT) in terms of improving students’ self-development skills
This study evaluated the effectiveness of IT in improving self-development skills in detail, namely knowledge, work, and personal skills of urban and regional planning students in one of the public universities in Malaysia
Summary
The mismatch between skills acquired by students throughout their higher education with the demands and the needs of the industry is not new around the world (Abidoye et al 2022; Dubey et al 2021; Fernandez-Chung et al 2015; Lowden et al 2011). Prior researches suggested that the quality of graduates produced by institutions of higher learning (IHL) does not meet the needs of the industry (Azmi et al 2018; Kagaari 2007). Bennett (2002) suggested that graduates should adapt to any changes that occur in the organisation. Apart from that, graduates need to adapt themselves according to any changes in their respective fields. The adaptation skills will ensure graduates remain relevant and up-to-date with developments in their respective fields. The industry selects graduates who can perform well immediately upon acceptance to work in the organisation (Ayarkwa et al 2012; Cox & King 2006). The industry selects graduates who are independent, able to make decisions quickly and accurately in a short time, and able to work with minimal supervision
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