KUALA LUMPUR: Tertiary students seem less choosy and perhaps more realistic with a slightly higher proportion than upper secondary students saying that they are prepared to take any job they are offered.
According to a report by Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) titled `School-To-Work Transition Survey` (SWTS), it stated that the most striking finding is the much lower percentage who show a preference for working for the government and higher proportion especially of young men, wanting to be self-employed by starting their own business.
The report was launched by Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan today.
“More than a quarter of all tertiary students want to start their own business as compared to 15% among upper secondary students.
SWTS showed that youth in upper secondary education are the students who do not seem to be aware that they can create their own employment through starting their own small and medium enterprises (SME),“ according to the report.
Students who are currently in universities do not appear to consider that having a higher academic education degree, diploma or certificate is adequate for ensuring a good job.
About 27% of all tertiary students feel that practical training through apprenticeship, internships or on-the-job training is essential for getting a good job.
Besides that, tertiary students identify competencies and soft skills as most useful for getting a good job and they are aware of what employers want in a worker and what they need to be employable.
The report also showed that the preferred sector of employment for tertiary students has distinctly shifted away from the sectoral pattern of their working fathers and mothers.
“The students are much less interested in their parents’ occupations in agriculture, manufacturing, construction or even civil service,“ it said.
The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) mentions employers report that graduates lack of critical thinking and communication skills and the language proficiency (especially in English) that are essential for success in the 21st century.
A 2013 Jobstreet.com survey also found that employers are increasingly looking beyond academic results when it comes to hiring new workers.
The number one deciding factor is good interpersonal and communication skills followed by a good command of English and the right salary expectation.
The Ministry of Higher Education’s Graduate Tracer Study confirmed that the graduates of 2014/2015 were aware of their weakness in communication skills as English communication and interpersonal skills were their top choices for training programme. — Bernama
