Exploring the Needs of Technical Writing Competency in English among Polytechnic Engineering Students

Industries demand fresh graduate to possess technical writing skills in order to be employed. Thus, technical writing competency in engineering organization cannot be underestimated. In consequence, this study attempts to explore technical writing competency needs perceived by Malaysian polytechnic engineering students in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards technical writing in English. 207 diploma students among various engineering courses of a polytechnic have responded to a survey on students’ perceived technical writing competency needs. Results of the study indicated that the students showed low moderate agreement (mean score <3.5) in their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards technical writing in English. Skills in technical writing in English revealed the lowest mean score compared to knowledge and attitudes towards technical writing in English. This implied that the students were lack in technical writing skills in English. Despite, the study has shown that students were aware of the need in technical writing competency for their future career. Therefore, this study has pointed out that it is worth to review the current needs of the polytechnic engineering students since students’ responses could become a basis for the refinement of the material used in the classroom since need analysis is a continuous process in identifying learning needs. Finally, this study has proposed technical writing course to be introduced to the polytechnic education system since the competency in technical writing is essential in job industries including within engineering professions.