Technical and Soft Skills of University Graduates in Thailand

Abstract

Abstract

            Technical and soft skills development has been recognized for its prime importance in producing graduates at Thai universities.  Both national and ASEAN standards require human or soft skills for graduates to perform well in collaborative tasks at work. This study examined university graduates’ perception of their technical skills in the subject areas and soft skills as existing or lacking in current competency.  The participants were 116 university graduates employed by public and business organizations selected by accessibility and voluntary participation. They responded to the online semi-opened questionnaire on their perception of both technical and soft skills competencies demanded on the job.  They were also asked to identify what was lacking in the university programs in equipping graduates with both types of skills.  The finding revealed that the graduates under study were rather confident in their technical than soft skills.  They pointed to urgency for soft skills competency development in latest digital skills, speech communication and effective language interactions. The results of the study obviously call for program developers to balance the orientation in the specialized subject area and that in human or soft skills development for the graduates to function well in collaborative work as required in organizations to attain the expected goals in competitive operations now and beyond.

 Keywords: Technical skills, soft skills, skill competency development, competency perception, university graduates