A STUDY ON SOFT SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG FINAL YEAR DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS STUDIES STUDENTS

Abstract

Tertiary students’ soft skill development has been given much attention in the 21st century.   This study is aimed at exploring the levels and processes of soft skill development through the Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) program in a private college located in Georgetown, Penang from the perspectives of two educators and six final year DBS students. A mixed method that is a combination of quantitative and qualitative data research design was applied.  It involves the intentional collection of both quantitative and qualitative data and the combination of the strengths of each to answer the research questions. Therefore data collection methods such as interviews, observations, document analysis, and survey questionnaires were employed.  Findings from the self-rated quantitative survey and focus group interview revealed that DBS students were not putting sufficient effort in all the essential soft skill components.  The quantitative results showed that teamwork skill emerged consistently as the highest rated soft skill proficiency, followed by information management skill.  The lowest rated soft skill was the ethics and professional moral skill. In addition, results of qualitative methods either through interviews or observation also indicated that soft skill acquisition was channelled from both the curriculum and noncurriculum aspects, mainly through embedded activities, syllabus, classroom interaction and campus environment.  Nevertheless, the qualitative findings from educator interviews showed that the process of soft skill development in the college largely depended on individual educator’s initiative and creativity in carrying out activities enabling soft skill development. The significance of the study lies in providing increased awareness and professional development of educators on human capital development and other related training in the organization.