Papers
Employability Skills Development Approaches: An Application of the Analytic Network Process
Author(s)Mohamad Shukri Abdul Hamid
Universiti Utara Malaysia
Malaysia
Rafikul Islam
International Islamic University Malaysia
Malaysia
Noor Hazilah Abd Manaf
International Islamic University Malaysia
Malaysia
Publication date: Jan, 2014
Journal: Asian Academy of Management JournalVol.: 19- Issue: 1- Pages: 93-111
Publisher: Asian Academy of Management
Abstract: Institutions of higher learning need to re-evaluate their teaching-learning approaches to develop the necessary employability skills for their graduates. The main objectives of this study are to identify the important employability skills and the corresponding employability skills development approaches in a Malaysian setting. The results of the application of an analytic network process (ANP) show that the 'ability to speak fluently in English' is the most important skill, followed by the 'ability to write effectively in English' and the 'ability to think critically'. On the other hand, the most effective employability skills development approach is found to be 'work-integrated learning'. The other effective approaches are identified as 'stand-alone subject model', 'academic support programme', 'embedded subject model', 'non-academic support programme' and 'campus life activities'.
Keywords: Employability skills, Analytic Network Process, ANP, Malaysia