Abstract
This study analyses the value of collaborative education strategies for improving workforce development in Malaysia, focusing on collaborations between educational institutions and industry. In recent years, the Malaysian job market has experienced major challenges, especially in terms of graduate preparation for employment. Many graduates struggle due to inadequate skills and limited employment opportunities, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive educational changes. These coordinated activities aim to bridge the education-industry divide by developing connections between academia and the business sector. Moreover, the study uses a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with industry managers to understand better the impact of partnership programs, government support, and community participation on workforce readiness. Through these interviews, the study emphasizes the importance of collaborative education in providing graduates with the skills and competencies they need to succeed in a competitive work market. The findings show that, while these collaborations significantly boost graduates' employability and skill sets, issues such as unequal access to opportunities and an overreliance on government assistance remain. Furthermore, the analysis discovers gaps in the available literature, particularly in the context of Malaysia, emphasizing the need for further research targeted to this environment. Future research directions will include empirical investigations to quantify the impact of collaborative education initiatives, quantitative analyses to evaluate the efficacy of various programs, and policy recommendations to improve Malaysia's workforce development and foster long-term economic growth. By addressing these issues, the study hopes to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how collaborative education may effectively bridge Malaysia’s skills gap.
Keywords
- Collaborative Education Search this journal for Collaborative Education (opens in a new tab)
- Workforce Development Search this journal for Workforce Development (opens in a new tab)
- Skill Enhancement Search this journal for Skill Enhancement (opens in a new tab)
- Industry Partnership Search this journal for Industry Partnership (opens in a new tab)
- Community Engagement Search this journal for Community Engagement (opens in a new tab)
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Copyright (c) 2024 Farhana Akter, Md Rofi Uddin Shakil, Yeasmin Akter, Kanij Fatema, Noor Jannah Binti Afi, Norizan Azizan, Kamal Ab Hamid (Author)

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Keywords
- Collaborative Education Search this journal for Collaborative Education (opens in a new tab)
- Workforce Development Search this journal for Workforce Development (opens in a new tab)
- Skill Enhancement Search this journal for Skill Enhancement (opens in a new tab)
- Industry Partnership Search this journal for Industry Partnership (opens in a new tab)
- Community Engagement Search this journal for Community Engagement (opens in a new tab)
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Vol. 16 No. 3(I)S (2024)
Supply Chain Sustainability, Smart HRM & Inclusive Education
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