The need for Technical Communication for 21st Century Learning in TVET Institutions: Perceptions of Industry Experts

Authors

  • Viji Ramamuruthy University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
  • Norlidah Alias University of Malaya
  • Dorothy DeWitt Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Keywords:

Technical communication pedagogical module, TVET, automotive, skills-certified institutions

Abstract

Skills-based institutions have been training students to communicate in English in the automotive industry. However, there does not seem much research on communications skills needed among employees in the automotive industry in Malaysia. Hence, this study investigates the opinions of experts in the automotive industry to determine the expectations on graduates’ technical communication competency. An interpretive qualitative approach was employed where interviews with five experts from different backgrounds in the automotive industry, was conducted. These experts were selected from a specific criterion to ensure they had supervised graduate interns. The transcripts of their interviews were analyzed thematically. The industry experts mainly emphasized the lack of technical communication language skills among graduates and the need for transferable skills related to technical communication. The experts also stressed that collaboration between the industry and training institutions was needed to develop pedagogical modules for technical communication for the automotive industry. Hence, skill-based institutions should collaborate with the industry to identify current needs in the industry in order to prepare graduates for the workplace. The implication of this study is on the need for graduates to have technical communication to be relevant to industry.

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Published

30-08-2020

How to Cite

Ramamuruthy, V., Alias, N., & DeWitt, D. (2020). The need for Technical Communication for 21st Century Learning in TVET Institutions: Perceptions of Industry Experts. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 13(1), 148-158. https://penerbit.uthm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/JTET/article/view/5963