Abdul-Aziz, A R; Jaafar, M; Enshassi, A and Mohamed-Salleh, M N (2008) Does vocational training meet the construction industry needs in Malaysia? Feedback from ex-trainees of the basic electrical wiring course from one training institution. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 6(3), pp. 258-268. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: Malaysia has been facing a shortage of construction craftworkers since the late 1980s. This is despite the fact that various public vocational training institutes have been established by the government ever since independence. This study aims to determine whether ex-trainees of National Youth Skills Institutes (NYSIs) in the One Phase Electrical Wiring course had joined the construction industry to determine whether the shortage is in any way contributed by them. The reasons why they took up the course and why they chose to work as electricians were among the specific matters that were looked into to help in understanding their industry choice. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through postal questionnaire survey. Findings: The study found that half of the respondents joined the construction industry, the other half in other economic sectors. Research limitations/implications: The sample was confined to those who had undertaken the One Phase Electrical Wiring course. It was also limited to one training institution. Other stakeholders were excluded from the study. Practical implications: The paper makes recommendations as to what the NYSI administration might want to consider doing in terms of promoting the course. Originality/value: The paper adds to the knowledge of electrical course ex-trainees about what they thought about their course, in which economic sectors they chose to work and the reasons behind their selection.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | electronics industry; labour; Malaysia; vocational training |
| Index terms: | methodology, survey, construction industry, vocational training, Malaysia, questionnaire, electrician |
| Subjects: | professional development, data collection methods, practitioner, Geography, industry analysis, research methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Geographical Context, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here