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

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.