EMPLOYERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS OF ISLAMIC BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION GRADUATES IN UNIVERSITI SAINS ISLAM MALAYSIA

Abstract

This paper tries to investigate the perception of the employers towards the employability skills of the new graduates in their recruitment process. The paper examines the employability skills of the Islamic business administration graduates in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.  The study used qualitative methodology through in-depth interviews with 31 employers in Klang Valley. Findings revealed that employers expect graduates to have a range of broader skills and attributes that include teamwork, communication, leadership, critical thinking, work independently, intellectual, and problem-solving skills. Besides, technical skills such as software proficiency, project management, data analysis, and common operating systems are also advantaging for new graduates to get offered in their companies. This paper, therefore, concludes that developing graduate employability skills and attributes should be included in faculties teaching and learning strategically. Active collaboration between university and industry with employers having a more active role is likely to have a greater and more sustained impact on graduate employability. Lastly, the need to continually promote and expand opportunities for students to access work-based learning is critical. These experiential opportunities can be an effective way of providing university students with relevant employment skills, knowledge, and awareness of employer culture. 3U1I program may be implemented to enhance graduate employability.