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Factors predicting career choice among Malaysian students in skills-based training institutions

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International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between career interest, knowledge, adaptability and maturity in predicting career choice among 720 students in the Malaysian Skills Certification System. Career interest, knowledge and adaptability were found to be positively related to career choice, while career maturity was not significantly related to career choice. The career choice model was observed to be sufficiently solid and flexible to incorporate and measure the five constructs (career choice, interest, knowledge, maturity and adaptability). Importance-performance matrix analysis indicates that career adaptability is the most important factor in students’ career choices, albeit with the lowest mean scores.

Résumé

Facteurs prédictifs du choix de carrière des étudiants malaisiens des institutions de formation axées sur les compétences Cette étude examine la relation entre les intérêts, les connaissances, l’adaptabilité de carrière et la maturité vocationnelle dans la prédiction du choix de carrière chez 720 étudiants du système de certification de compétences malaisien (Malaysian Skills Certification System, MSCS). L’intérêt professionnel, les connaissances et l’adaptabilité étaient positivement associés au choix de carrière alors que la maturité vocationnelle ne l’était pas. Le modèle du choix de carrière a été considéré comme un modèle solide et flexible pour intégrer et mesurer les cinq construits (choix de carrière, intérêt, connaissances, maturité et adaptabilité). La matrice Importance-Performance a indiqué que l’adaptabilité de carrière est le facteur le plus important dans le choix de carrière des étudiants, même avec les scores moyens les plus bas.

Zusammenfassung

Faktoren, die die Laufbahnentscheidung bei Malaysischen Schülern in “Skills-Based Training Institutions” Diese Studie beleuchtet den Zusammenhang zwischen beruflichen Interessen, Adaptabilität und Berufswahlreife hinsichtlich der Voraussage von Berufswahlentscheidungen von 720 Schülern im Malaysischen Fähigkeits-Zertifizierungs-System (MSCS). Berufliche Interessen, Wissen und Adaptabilität haben einen positiven Zusammenhang mit der Berufswahlentscheidung, während Berufswahlreife in keinem signifikanten Zusammhang mit der Wahl eines Berufs steht. Das Berufswahlmodell scheint hinreichend stabil und flexibel zu sein, um die fünf Konstrukte (Berufswahlentscheidung, Interessen, Wissen, Berufswahlreife und Adaptabilität) abzubilden und zu messen. Eine Wichtigkeits-Performanz-Analyse (IPMA) weist darauf hin, dass Laufbahnadaptabilität der wichtigste Faktor im Zusammenhang mit den Berufswahlentscheidungen ist, obgleich sie die geringsten Mittelwerte aufweisen.

Resumen

Factores predictores de la elección de carrera entre alumnos Malasios en la formación basada en competencias Este estudio examina la relación entre el interés, conocimiento, adaptabilidad y madurez de la carrera en la predicción de la elección de carrera entre 720 estudiantes en el sistema de certificación de competencias de Malasia (MSCS). El interés, conocimiento y adaptabilidad de la carrera estuvieron positivamente relacionados con la elección de carrera mientras que la madurez de carrera no se relacionó significativamente con la elección. Se observó que el modelo de elección de carrera es suficientemente sólido y flexible para incorporar y medir los cinco constructos (elección, interés, conocimiento, madurez y adaptabilidad de la carrera). El análisis de la matriz de importancia – actuación (IPMA) indica que la adaptación de la carrera is el factor mas importante en las elecciones de carrera en los estudiantes a pesar de mostrar las puntuaciones medias mas bajas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Zool Hilmi Mohamed Ashari, Norzaini Azman & Mohamad Sattar Rasul

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  1. Zool Hilmi Mohamed Ashari
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  2. Norzaini Azman
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  3. Mohamad Sattar Rasul
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Correspondence to Norzaini Azman.

Appendix: Conceptual framework

Appendix: Conceptual framework

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Ashari, Z.H.M., Azman, N. & Rasul, M.S. Factors predicting career choice among Malaysian students in skills-based training institutions. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 19, 19–39 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9366-5

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