A Model Development for Empowering Women’s Skills in Government Sector: Towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution

– Headed by Dr. Ely Salwana binti Mat Surin.

This study aims to: i) Investigate what kind of skills and their factors needed to prepare women in facing the 4^th IR in all related fields involved; ii) Develop a model based on identified skills and factors; and iii) Evaluate the model via expert reviewers. The findings of this research will highlighted issues for preparing women to contribute in 4^th IR.

INTRODUCTION

We are entering what is widely referred to as the fourth industrial revolution (4^th IR), an era where the development of new materials, breakthroughs in the field of genetic engineering and digital transformation are increasingly blurring the lines between the physical, biological and digital worlds. The revolution also visualized as the fourth major industrial era since the initial industrial revolution of the 18th century. With multiple industries being disrupted, those without the relevant skills for the future workplace stand to be at risk. The bad news is that women are likely to be disproportionately negatively impacted. Based on the literature, disruptions to labor markets brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4^th IR) as well as demographic and socio-economic change may have a disproportionately negative impact on women than men. One key reason is because they are relatively under-represented when it comes to jobs which are expected to have the most growth in the next five years in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions. In Malaysia, starting with the Sixth Malaysia Plan, special concerns are given to women in terms of development by outlining essential strategies to improve their status. However, the involvement of women in the development of the country is still low due to a lack of understanding of the important skills in women that contributing to the industry; hence it is therefore difficult to identify the real potential of individual woman. Based on the problems stated, this study aims to: i) Investigate what kind of skills and their factors needed to prepare women in facing the 4^th IR in all related fields involved; ii) Develop a model based on identified skills and factors; and iii) Evaluate the model via expert reviewers. The findings of this research will highlighted issues for preparing women to contribute in 4^th IR.

METHODS

This research work is divided into three phases of study:

Phase 1: The Literature reviews work
Investigate the related fields involved in 4^th IR with identified skills needed to prepare women in facing 4^th IR

Phase 2: Model development
Data collection – survey (will be done in government sectors and industrial sectors).  Model development based on the data analysis.

Phase 3: Model Evaluation
Model verification and validation by the expert

FINDINGS

Based on the study, 8 skills for the 4^th IR have been identified:
Complex Problem Solving, People Management, Critical Thinking, Cognitive Flexibility, Negotiation, Service Orientation, Autonomous Intelligence and Technical Skills are important for women to equally competing and engaging in industry 4.0 era.