Challenges and Achievements in Implementing Skill Development Centres in Colleges: Evaluating Student Upskilling and Employability Outcomes

Abstract

This demand from graduates ready to enter the labour market has increased pressure on institutions of higher learning to focus on delivering skills-based education. Conventional academic programs tend to focus on theoretical learning, whereas modern labour markets require graduates with a set of technical, digital, and transferable skills. To address this dilemma, most institutions of higher learning have established institutional mechanisms to support competency development centres (SDCs) to improve students' employability rates and outcomes. This research paper examines the challenges and successes encountered in introducing skill development centres within higher learning institutions, and assesses their effectiveness in enhancing student upskilling and employability readiness.

The study employs a secondary data-based research design, grounded in peer-reviewed academic articles, institutional reports, and policy documents on graduate employability and skill development initiatives. The data were gathered through a systematic analysis of existing studies to identify the most important functions, results, and challenges of implementing skill development centres. These programs enhance career preparedness and facilitate the transition from education to work. Nevertheless, they still face several challenges, including resource scarcity, difficulty integrating the curriculum, gaps in faculty capabilities, and a lack of reliable industry partners.

The study is important to the expanding research on higher education skills orientation as it offers a holistic paper to understand the role of skill development centres in the institution in closing the gap between higher education and labour market needsKeywords: peacekeeping education; higher education strategy; DEMATEL; analytic network process; mixed methods; defence diplomacy; Indonesia