The Impact of AutoCAD Skills on the Career Prospect of TVET Graduates in the Malaysia Civil Engineering Sector

The employability of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in the Malaysian civil engineering sector increasingly depends on technical and digital competence that matches workplace requirements. This study is to examined the impact of AutoCAD skills on TVET graduates’ career prospects. The study focused on three objectives: the relationship between AutoCAD skillfulness and employability indicators, the comparison of career outcomes between certified and non-certified graduates, and the challenges faced when applying AutoCAD in real construction and design projects. A quantitative survey supported by open-ended responses was conducted among 354 TVET civil engineering graduates in Perak and Selangor. Data was analyzed using Minitab Statistical Software 22 through reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression and two-sample t-test, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. The instrument showed good to excellent reliability, with Cronbach Alpha values from 0.846 to 0.979. Pearson correlation indicated a very strong and statistically significant relationship between AutoCAD skillfulness and employability outcomes, r = 0.997, 95% CI (0.996, 0.997), p < 0.001. Multiple regression explained 96.32% of employability variance, and certified graduates recorded stronger career outcomes, t(163) = -22.73, p < 0.001. Thematic findings highlighted real-project complexity, command mastery, software and hardware constraints, technical standards, documentation, confidence and stakeholder communication. Overall, AutoCAD skills and certification support TVET graduate career readiness, but should be strengthened through practical training, updated facilities and closer TVET-industry collaboration.