Challenges in TVET Education in Higher Learning Institutions

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) is essential for developing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving demands of modern industries, particularly in Malaysia. Despite the government's concerted efforts to enhance TVET, significant challenges persist that hinder the employability of graduates. These challenges include skill mismatches between the education provided and industry needs, negative societal perceptions of TVET, inadequate practical training, and insufficient focus on essential soft skills such as communication and critical thinking. This study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing a stratified random sampling method to distribute surveys among TVET students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify key challenges affecting TVET programs. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between curriculum content and industry expectations, inadequate collaboration between academia and industry, and a lack of emphasis on soft skills development within the curriculum. Based on these findings, the study proposes further research into the implementation of personalized learning pathways, continuous competency-based assessments, and strengthened industry partnerships as potential solutions. These measures aim to align TVET education more closely with labor market demands, thereby improving graduate employability and contributing to Malaysia’s economic growth and development.