Papers & Workshops

 

Dr. Ramlee Mustapha

Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

This paper discusses the role of vocational education and training in the industrialization of Malaysia. Vocational education and training in Malaysia is emerging as an area of crucial importance for economic and industrial development. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of educators and employers regarding the role of vocational education and training in the industrial development of Malaysia. This descriptive study utilized questionnaire which was mailed to 300 randomly selected educators and 120 employers. Several conclusions were drawn from the findings of the study:

(a) both educators and employers believed that vocational education and training has assumed a major role in the economic development of Malaysia and that a substantial financial investment in vocational education and training was justified,
(b) however, employers and educators were less certain regarding the employability skills of vocational graduates,
(c) educators and employers differed with regard to the factors that facilitated or inhibited the restructuring of vocational education; however, both groups agreed that input from the private sector and technical exchanges between vocational institutions and business/industry were mutually beneficial,
(d) educators and employers believed that the public sector did an inadequate job in satisfying the human resource needs of the industrial sector,
(e) both groups were uncertain regarding the factors that led to shortages of skilled workers, and
(f) educators and employers differed regarding the government's role in satisfying the needs of vocational education and training and the needs of business and industry.
 

RMIT, Melbourne, Australia

5-9 July 2000