An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) of TVET Career Path Development Model

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) has become important in Malaysian education system to produce skilled workforce for industrial need. Career planning are very crucial for TVET students to guide them for a better career in future. Career path development model has been develop to guide TVET student plan their career path. But, to understanding the structure underlying a set of measures in this model is not easy as to understand the data depicted because actual data will often show notable deviations from their pattern. These can make it difficult to gauge their correlation. Factor analysis is the answer to overcome the problems to determine the number of distinct constructs needed to account for the pattern of correlations among a set of measures. In this study factor analysis was used to determine career path model that could effectively bring TVET graduated for their future career in their sector. As to accessing these validity indicators, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability and correlation analysis were used. The results of the analysis based on 151 local TVET graduated from various institution in Malaysia indicated that all extracted factors having good a values of factor loadings and communalities (i.e. above 0.55) and acceptable level of reliability value (i.e. Cronbach’s alpha above 0.70). These extracted factors also have good discriminant and nomological validity, since the correlation analysis proof that, the directions of relationships among the extracted factors follow the expected theory (Super Theory) and the strength of the correlation is moderately strength. Therefore, the designed instruments were valid and reliable for accessing the targeted variables in the context of TVET career in Malaysia.