A Phenomenological Aprroach: Work-Based Learning (WBL) at Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Abstract

Collaborating institutions of higher education and business industries to provide on-the-job training is essential to the success of Work-Based Learning (WBL). One of the ways people learn, experiential education involves applying what they have learned in class to real-world scenarios. Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) recognized that many Malaysian employers have voiced concerns that recent graduates lack the necessary skills and experience to succeed in their positions, and the country has taken note. In addition, the vast majority of employers also have reported that recent graduates lack the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to do their jobs. In line with this, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) has stated that the goal of WBL is to help students achieve the learning outcomes of their programme or unit of study by gaining knowledge and skills related to a particular industry from the workplace environment. Hence, in year 2020, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) has started to introduce WBL program in order to ensure the graduates able to improve their employability skills and receive a variety of possibilities for career growth and employability. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and challenges faced by UNITEN students in their WBL program. Data will be collected by using semi-structured interview and secondary data. The respondents are consisting of students who taking WBL program in UNITEN.