The NPQEL Graduates’ Talent Management

Abstract

Talent management focus on human resources is increasingly seen as a critical factor in developing a successful organization. Through Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025), the appointments of principals or head teachers are decided not based on length of service anymore. To ensure that the appointed school leaders have real leadership potential, they are exposed to training and professional development, known as the National Professional Qualification for Educational Leaders (NPQEL) (formerly known as the National Professional Qualification Principalship - NPQH) for aspiring candidates and high potential to be principals or headmasters. This article reports on preliminary study by using quantitative method looking at the level of  NPQEL graduates' talent management in school administration. The study involved 40 graduates who served in school administration more than two years after successfully completed the course. There are five dimensions in talent management, namely the dimension of purpose, dimension of direction, dimension of motivation and authority, dimension of relationships and dimension of work style. The findings showed that all dimensions studied have high level of talent management which shows the mean value from 4.21 until 4.57. The most dominant dimension is the dimension of purpose  compared with the other dimensions. T-test results showed no significant differences in the level of talent management (t = 2,055; p > 0.05) for both gender respondents and school categories. According to Davies and Davies (2011), the busy life that cause disproportionate talented school leaders is decreasing and this makes it difficult for businesses to appoint principal. But the results of this study prove NPQEL graduates are talented and capable of making changes to the school's performance in Malaysia.