EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS VALUED BY EMPLOYERS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Developing students’ employability skills is pivotal in preparing them for future workforce. However, mismatch between graduates’ employability skills and the needs of industry, has resulted in unemployment among our local graduates. The current study is motivated to review selected studies that explored employers’ perspectives on relevant employability skills to the industry. With reference to Malaysian Qualification Framework, the findings of the current study indicated that basic skills, thinking skills, personal qualities, workplace competencies and entrepreneurship skills were important to the local industry. However, some of the employers viewed employability, decision-making and leadership skills as least important skills in working field. It is hoped that the findings of the current study will serve as a reference point in enhancing education platform in equipping students with relevant employability skills.