1.2 Problem Statement

The concern about graduates’ capability to meet the demand needed by employers in today’s world is associated with the notion that graduates have not adequately acquired with the generic skills during their studies at higher institution. Both current and future employees need to have expanded skills if they are to operate in the workplace effectively. Skills and competencies are the two important components that students need to posses so that they can make better transition from classroom environment to working environment, instead of merely focusing on academic performance.

 Various parties are concerned about students’ capability to meet the demands by employers in today’s working world. There is a student only wants to get good grades in the papers and this may affect to their capability to adapt themselves in the challenging world.  In general, the number of students who graduates from college and university every year determines the success of education. This is actually not true since this type of success does not guarantee students to be successful in the work place (Noorlaila et al 2004). According to Dutton (1996), students are only able to enter their chosen career if a curriculum program involves schools to provide all the necessary competencies the employer needs. Worthington and Juntuneen (1997) stated that many graduates find themselves struggling to enter the job market because they were not prepared for skills needed for employment. Besides possessing with good grades, these graduates do not have the knowledge to make the transition from education to career.

This has aroused anxiety among many parties and it is hoped through this research we will be able see the relationship between generic skills and academic achievement among undergraduate students of PTPL College, Ampang, Selangor.