Assessing the Skillset Impacting the Readiness of HVAC Bachelor's Final Year Students for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is a significant period of industrial progress marked by advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). The current change presents significant challenges and opportunities for various sectors, including the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. Addressing the readiness of HVAC students for IR 4.0, this study investigates the gap in skills and competencies required in this new era. This study primarily assesses the readiness of final-year bachelor's degree students in HVAC, focusing on balancing technical and non-technical skills. Employing a qualitative descriptive research design, the study involved 100 final-year HVAC students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). A structured questionnaire, developed based on a thorough literature review and validated through expert reviews and a pilot study, was used to collect data. The questionnaire assessed students' self-evaluation of their readiness, understanding of technical skills, and developing non-technical skills relevant to IR 4.0. The analysis revealed that students possess a high level of perceived readiness for IR 4.0, with non-technical skills emerging as significant contributors to their readiness. These skills accounted for 44% of the variance in students' readiness. The findings underscore the importance of integrating non-technical skills into the HVAC curriculum, highlighting their role in equipping students to navigate the evolving technological landscape of IR 4.0. In conclusion, the study provides comprehensive insights into the skillsets necessary for HVAC students to thrive in the IR 4.0 era. It emphasises the need for educational institutions to adapt their curricula and pedagogical strategies to include a balanced focus on technical and non-technical skills, thereby enhancing student employability and readiness for the challenges of the modern industrial world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]