Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry:A Stakeholder-Based Evaluation of English Communication Skills Curriculum for Enhancing Employability among Diploma Engineering Students

Abstract

Mismatch between the development of English communication competencies in the diploma engineering curricula and the competencies demanded by the industry still remains to be the major barrier to graduate employability. The present study offers a comprehensive stakeholder-based analysis of the existing English communication skills (ECS) curricula of the diploma engineering programmes from the perspectives of three key stakeholders, namely, the diploma engineering students (n=240), the faculty members (n=45) and the industry professionals (n=60). The research, using a mixed-methods research design that combines quantitative survey instruments with semi-structured interviews, reveals significant gaps in curriculum coverage, especially in the areas of workplace communication, technical writing, presentation skills and cross-cultural communication. The results show that although academic curricula place emphasis on formal grammar and reading comprehension, industry stakeholders consider collaborative communication, email etiquette and oral reporting as the most critical skills for employability. However, faculty perceptions are limited by institutional mandates and examination pressures that limit communicative, task-based instruction. The paper, reflecting the consensus of stakeholders, offers a revised ECS curriculum framework geared towards industry needs, proposing the integration of workplace simulation activities, digital communication literacies and formative assessment aligned with professional competency standards. Findings of this study contribute to the discussion on the reform of technical education and provide practical implications for curriculum developers, policymakers, and educators who are committed to bridging the gap between the academia and industry.