Work-based learning in Malaysia’s community colleges: perceptions from students, lecturers, training partners and employers

Rapid changes in technology and markets have created new demands for vocational education and training organizations to provide graduates who are globally competitive. Debates about the most appropriate forms of training to meet these demands are concerned not only with curricula and resources within [technical and vocational education] TVE organizations, but also with the most effective strategies for improving collaboration with industry. This paper looks at stakeholders’ perspectives on collaboration between community colleges and the automotive industry in Malaysia. These...  [+] Show more

Rapid changes in technology and markets have created new demands for vocational education and training organizations to provide graduates who are globally competitive. Debates about the most appropriate forms of training to meet these demands are concerned not only with curricula and resources within [technical and vocational education] TVE organizations, but also with the most effective strategies for improving collaboration with industry. This paper looks at stakeholders’ perspectives on collaboration between community colleges and the automotive industry in Malaysia. These stakeholders include students and lecturers in two community colleges, training partners and employers (representing the Proton Training Centre and Proton service centres) collaborating in a work-based learning (WBL) program for diploma in automotive engineering students. Using multiple techniques, including questionnaires, focus groups and individual interviews, stakeholders’ evaluations of the WBL program are analysed. The analysis includes problems and successes in collaboration with industry, adaptations to the working environment, and anticipated technological changes in the Malaysian automotive industry. In general, respondents praised the WBL program for increasing students’ knowledge of technology changes and enhancing their skills with equipment and tools, working procedures and techniques, and customer service. However, there are some critical issues that need to be addressed; particularly in regards to the students’ logistics, accommodation, issues of security and the focus of the WBL program in the single industry context. This article suggests that the WBL program may be utilized in preparing students for the workplace in certain courses at local community colleges and, with modifications in a variety of training programs in Malaysia.

Authors' abstract.

A list of the presentations from this conference may be found at TD/TNC 100.972; available papers are indexed from TD/TNC 100.973 to TD/TNC 100.986.