Comparative Analysis of Students Perception on the Relevance of Diploma Certificate in Automotive Engineering to the Industry

Abstract

This paper is designed as a comparative study between technical and further education institutes in Australia and community colleges in Malaysia in order to improve and develop the quality and quantity of technicians in the automotive industry. The descriptive survey research design was utilized in carrying out the study. The 113 students studying the Diploma Certificate in automotive engineering responded to a structured questionnaire, which addressed the research questions. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used in determining the reliability of the instrument. The reliability coefficient of the instrument used for data collection stood at 0.89. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the training institutions should upgrade their training facilities with new equipment similar to that in the industry and Technical Vocational Education and Training department in the Ministry of Higher Education, and should advocate a broad range of industry participation opportunities to higher institutions in the preparation of highly skilled workforce for the industry.

Keywords

• Technical and further education institutes
• community colleges
• diploma certificate
• automotive engineering
• industry