Developing soft skill in Malaysian polytechnics

This paper describes a study of lecturers’ feedback on the Malaysian polytechnics Industrial Training Soft Skills (ITSS) module. It was conducted using a survey questionnaire, with a 92% response rate (NF) in four polytechnics in the northern region of Malaysia. The majority of respondents were female (65.2%), 62% of them came from engineering backgrounds, and have been involved in teaching soft skills for more than two semesters (82.6%). The soft skills elements studied were mainly based on the eight elements in the ITSS module: decision making, team work, problem solving, learning and...  [+] Show more

This paper describes a study of lecturers’ feedback on the Malaysian polytechnics Industrial Training Soft Skills (ITSS) module. It was conducted using a survey questionnaire, with a 92% response rate (NF) in four polytechnics in the northern region of Malaysia. The majority of respondents were female (65.2%), 62% of them came from engineering backgrounds, and have been involved in teaching soft skills for more than two semesters (82.6%). The soft skills elements studied were mainly based on the eight elements in the ITSS module: decision making, team work, problem solving, learning and interpersonal, communication, time management, leadership and report writing. This study found that polytechnic students have demonstrated these skills in the class environment (mean score above 4). The most highly rated skills were ‘team work’ skills and the least satisfied were ‘decision making’ skills. The lecturers appreciated the importance of soft skills elements structured in the module with mean score recorded above five. Students are considered to be team players equally as much as having good leadership skills. However, ‘team work’ skills were less highly rated by lecturers than communication skills, unlike what has been reported in the literature. Skills like decision making, time management and report writing are seen as the critical areas that need attention. The findings are useful as reflective tools on ITSS curriculum design and delivery for the polytechnic education system in Malaysia in the preparation of students for industrial training and employment.

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.