The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities. This study also aims to investigate the moderating effects of academic performance on suc...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Emerald Publishing
2025
|
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1833351722725015552 |
|---|---|
| author | Mohamad N.M. Jaaffar A.H. Abd Majid N. Isa A. |
| author2 | 57211601802 |
| author_facet | 57211601802 Mohamad N.M. Jaaffar A.H. Abd Majid N. Isa A. |
| author_sort | Mohamad N.M. |
| building | UNITEN Library |
| collection | Institutional Repository |
| content_provider | Universiti Tenaga Nasional |
| content_source | UNITEN Institutional Repository |
| continent | Asia |
| country | Malaysia |
| description | Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities. This study also aims to investigate the moderating effects of academic performance on such relationships. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish these objectives, this study employed partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data obtained from 247 Malaysian undergraduates from public and private energy-focused universities across Malaysia. The Human Capital Theory served as the overarching theoretical framework for the study. Findings: The study reveals that even if an undergraduate has stellar grades, they will not help him/her to land a job if they lack basic technical and computing skills. This study also indicates that undergraduates? current academic performance affects their perceived employability despite already possessing the necessary soft skills. Along with academic performance, social mobility skills can be a determining factor in how graduates see their own employability. This is because social mobility has a significant impact on graduates? chances of finding gainful employment. Research limitations/implications: This study provides insights into how technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills influence the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates, especially in energy-focused universities, and the role of various parties involved. These parties, such as higher education institutions, are the key players that can initiate strategies to enhance specific skills and steer a public conversation towards a more methodical strategy for boosting graduates? employability for future employment. This research also sheds light on how to better prepare for emerging job opportunities in the energy sector. Originality/value: The study examines the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities for future employment among Malaysia?s universities? graduates. By providing a multidisciplinary viewpoint, this study paves the way for future research partnerships among experts in higher education, researchers in related fields and career researchers. ? 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. |
| format | Article |
| id | my.uniten.dspace-37076 |
| institution | Universiti Tenaga Nasional |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Emerald Publishing |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | my.uniten.dspace-370762025-03-03T15:47:14Z The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities Mohamad N.M. Jaaffar A.H. Abd Majid N. Isa A. 57211601802 58897806500 58237887000 57196419194 Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities. This study also aims to investigate the moderating effects of academic performance on such relationships. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish these objectives, this study employed partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data obtained from 247 Malaysian undergraduates from public and private energy-focused universities across Malaysia. The Human Capital Theory served as the overarching theoretical framework for the study. Findings: The study reveals that even if an undergraduate has stellar grades, they will not help him/her to land a job if they lack basic technical and computing skills. This study also indicates that undergraduates? current academic performance affects their perceived employability despite already possessing the necessary soft skills. Along with academic performance, social mobility skills can be a determining factor in how graduates see their own employability. This is because social mobility has a significant impact on graduates? chances of finding gainful employment. Research limitations/implications: This study provides insights into how technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills influence the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates, especially in energy-focused universities, and the role of various parties involved. These parties, such as higher education institutions, are the key players that can initiate strategies to enhance specific skills and steer a public conversation towards a more methodical strategy for boosting graduates? employability for future employment. This research also sheds light on how to better prepare for emerging job opportunities in the energy sector. Originality/value: The study examines the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities for future employment among Malaysia?s universities? graduates. By providing a multidisciplinary viewpoint, this study paves the way for future research partnerships among experts in higher education, researchers in related fields and career researchers. ? 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. Article in press 2025-03-03T07:47:14Z 2025-03-03T07:47:14Z 2024 Article 10.1108/HESWBL-12-2023-0338 2-s2.0-85204696341 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85204696341&doi=10.1108%2fHESWBL-12-2023-0338&partnerID=40&md5=b158b8d6adf87f6961c7cdb058c77cbf https://irepository.uniten.edu.my/handle/123456789/37076 Emerald Publishing Scopus |
| spellingShingle | Mohamad N.M. Jaaffar A.H. Abd Majid N. Isa A. The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title | The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title_full | The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title_fullStr | The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title_short | The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| title_sort | effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities |
| url_provider | http://dspace.uniten.edu.my/ |