Employers’ provision of lifelong learning programs for their workers

  • Nur Hafizah Ishak Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Malaysia
  • Nor Aishah Buang Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Malaysia
  • Lilia Halim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Malaysia
Keywords: Lifelong Learning, Employers, Small And Medium Enterprise, Higher Learning Institution, Engagement Level.

Abstract

According to the Blueprint on Enculturation of (lifelong learning) LLL for Malaysia: 2011-2020, there is still an absence of a full-fledged lifelong learning policy for industries to provide for their workers. As a consequence, there is still lack of awareness and participation in LLL programs among the industries and the workers themselves, lack of monetary support on the part of the employers to assist their workers to attend LLL programs, and lack of government monitoring of LLL implementation among the industries and lack of collaboration between industries and higher learning institutions. A survey was conducted on 664 respondent of SME’s employer. Findings showed majority of employers (80%) believed in the importance of LLL but did not believe it will change the attitude of their workers and the effectiveness of learning while working. When asked about whether they will impose certain conditions if their workers want to study while working, slightly more than 50% said no because the workers have to fund their own study and it is their personal responsibility to pursue LLL programs. On collaborating with the public higher learning institutions (PHLIs), most employers will use them mainly only for soft skills trainings. However, they tend to spend only 4% on soft skills trainings. Findings also found that employers’ perception of the effect of LLL on their workers’ good work attitude, increase general learning skills and work productivity was just moderate.

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Author Biography

Nor Aishah Buang, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Malaysia

Corresponding author. Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

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Published
2019-11-30
How to Cite
Ishak, N. H., Aishah Buang, N., & Halim, L. (2019). Employers’ provision of lifelong learning programs for their workers . Religación, 4(21), 207-211. Retrieved from https://revista.religacion.com/index.php/religacion/article/view/532