Authors : Syed Kamarudin Hj. Sadak, Muhammad Hussin and Hamidun Bunawan
Abstract: Marketability and employability are two important factors driving graduate employment in this knowledge economy (k-economy) that can in turn, drive economic growth. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods with a total of 581 respondents (329 males and 252 females) this study aimed to investigate the level of marketability and employability skills of students in Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTA) in Malaysia and Malaysian students abroad. Quantitative methods used include a questionnaire to determine the level of student’s marketability and employability while the method of focus group interviews were used to obtain the factors affecting the marketability and employability of students. Data were further processed and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (t-test and One-Way ANOVA) in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 18.0. A total of 10 demographic factors were reviewed to see whether these factors would potentially affect the marketability and employability of Malaysian university students and Malaysian students abroad. Results showed that the mean level of marketability and employability was at a medium-high level. The findings also revealed that there is a difference in the marketability and employability according toplace of residence, education, parents, university type, education level of parents and the level of study. Multiple regression analysis showed that resilience was the dominant factor in contributing to marketability and that work ethic was dominant factor contributing to employability. The findings are further discussed in the context of their relationship within the education system and economic development in Malaysia.
Syed Kamarudin Hj. Sadak, Muhammad Hussin and Hamidun Bunawan, 2017. Marketability and Employability among Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) Students in Malaysia. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 12: 288-294.