EMPLOYERS PERSPECTIVES OF IMPORTANT EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS FOR PRE-VOCATIONAL PROGRAMME STUDENTS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Andree Asmara Haji Abidin
University of Brunei Darussalam, Brunei

ABSTRACT

Since the implementation of Pre-Vocational Programme in 1999, 1 492 students have completed the programme, however, only 230 students were employed in government and private sectors. It is argued that the students lack employability skills. Hence, this study was conducted using online survey to employers in Brunei Darussalam who received Pre-Vocational Programme students for work attachment. There were three main objectives for conducting the survey. The first aim was to identify which employability skills were emphasised by employers. The second aim was to explore the employers perspectives on employability skills according to importance placed by them. The third aim was to find out if the employers would be interested to support schools in Pre-Vocational Programme. The findings provide insights on employability skills valued by employers that can be incorporated into Pre-Vocational Programme and how teachers can be supported to develop students employability skills as a preliminary step towards positive outcomes.

KEYWORDS

employability skills, homeroom teachers, employers, a pre-vocational program in Brunei, vocational education