Abstract:Purpose of the study: This study aims to investigate the perception of employers on the skill deficiency of graduates. The study also attempts to explore the nature and importance of employability skills with emphasis on the areas of deficiency that could be addressed by higher education institutions (H.E.I.s) to make their graduates more employable.
Methodology: This paper is a theoretical exploration based on existing literature. Relevant research papers were sourced from prominent online databases, no… Show more
“…Bano and Vasantha (2019) found that personal abilities like working independently, creativity and innovation, adaptability, integrity, loyalty, versatility and resilience; were considered as important as generic and domain-specific skills. These skills were important during the pandemic, wherein personal attitude and behavior at work became more emphatic (Soundararajan et al. , 2020).…”
PurposeThe paper aims at examining the employability skills relevant in the unprecedented times of turbulence in businesses due to COVID-19 in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachThe study examined the recent skills model through an extensive literature review. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is conducted to identify the employability skills perceived as important by multiple stakeholders. ANOVA was applied to examine the differences in perceived importance attached to these dimensions by the three stakeholders.FindingsThe ten-factorial solution was extracted based on the results of EFA The findings offer a fresh perspective on digital competencies perceived as most important to ensure successful long-term employability, followed by business fundamentals and behavioral skills.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been able to map perceptions of employers, faculty and students based in Delhi-NCR regarding essential employability skills. It would be worthwhile to validate the proposed employability skills framework across different geographical sections of India and ascertain if the perceptions vary in the employment sector and employer size.Practical implicationsAlthough the study has put forth practical employability skills, there is a need for convergence between the business stakeholders and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to develop a broad skill-base for the fresh graduates. The study will prepare them for the volatile business environment.Originality/valueMany previous studies have lacked the employability skill framework in the Indian context from the multiple stakeholders' perspective. The HEIs can rethink their current employability, including the most prominent skills required in succeeding in a technology-enabled business environment transformed by the pandemic.
“…Bano and Vasantha (2019) found that personal abilities like working independently, creativity and innovation, adaptability, integrity, loyalty, versatility and resilience; were considered as important as generic and domain-specific skills. These skills were important during the pandemic, wherein personal attitude and behavior at work became more emphatic (Soundararajan et al. , 2020).…”
PurposeThe paper aims at examining the employability skills relevant in the unprecedented times of turbulence in businesses due to COVID-19 in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachThe study examined the recent skills model through an extensive literature review. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is conducted to identify the employability skills perceived as important by multiple stakeholders. ANOVA was applied to examine the differences in perceived importance attached to these dimensions by the three stakeholders.FindingsThe ten-factorial solution was extracted based on the results of EFA The findings offer a fresh perspective on digital competencies perceived as most important to ensure successful long-term employability, followed by business fundamentals and behavioral skills.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been able to map perceptions of employers, faculty and students based in Delhi-NCR regarding essential employability skills. It would be worthwhile to validate the proposed employability skills framework across different geographical sections of India and ascertain if the perceptions vary in the employment sector and employer size.Practical implicationsAlthough the study has put forth practical employability skills, there is a need for convergence between the business stakeholders and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to develop a broad skill-base for the fresh graduates. The study will prepare them for the volatile business environment.Originality/valueMany previous studies have lacked the employability skill framework in the Indian context from the multiple stakeholders' perspective. The HEIs can rethink their current employability, including the most prominent skills required in succeeding in a technology-enabled business environment transformed by the pandemic.
“…35,36 Studies highlight the need for ongoing collaboration with industry partners. 41,[43][44][45] This implies that collaboration can help identify and address any discrepancies between the curriculum and workplace requirements.…”
Background: Graduate Tracer Studies plays a key role in informing higher education institutions worldwide about the effectiveness of their programs and preparing graduates for the job market. The study aimed to trace its psychosocial counselling graduates working in different healthcare facilities across Malawi. Methods: The tracer study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design where the quantitative research method, specifically a survey was used. Data was gathered from Psychosocial counselling graduates of Saint John of God College of Health Sciences using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Out of 123 participants, 72 responded, yielding a response rate of 59%. Of these, there were 40 (55.6%) females and 32 (44.4%) males. Results indicated strong belief among participants that the program provided them with valuable skills. The majority of graduates reported successful employment outcomes, with an impressive 62 (86.1%) securing jobs, often within a short period. Many participants effectively utilized the knowledge and skills acquired during the program within their workplace settings. However, a subset of graduates faced challenges in applying their training. Recommendations for program improvement included the addition of courses such as Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. The identified key challenges encompassed low staffing levels and limited resources.
Conclusion:The study confirms program effectiveness based on positive outcomes reported by graduates in job relevance, skill development, and knowledge use. Addressing identified gaps and implementing recommended improvements can enhance graduates' employability, meet market demands, and improve the psychosocial counselling health sector in Malawi. The study recommends that the College should consider collaborating with industry partners, monitoring employment outcomes, and proactively adapting the curriculum is vital for program success and professional development.
“…These findings reflect that the industry emphasized document processing and hardware operation and maintenance skills. Further, the prospective employers claimed that fresh graduates were lacking with required skills related to the job [26], [27]. Despite of positive declined in graduate unemployment rate from 4.4% in 2020 to 4.1% in 2020, yet, there is an increased in semi-skilled and lowskilled job categories in the labor market from 31.2% in 2020 to 33.9% in 2021 [28].…”
<span lang="EN-US">Apart from having specific knowledge, graduates are expected to possess a set of soft and hard skills to be employed. This study aims to identify soft and hard skills relevant to the future workforce in the electrical and electronic (E&E) industry based on two perspectives; academicians from public higher education institution (HEI) and E&E industry players. Further, the study aims to investigate skills gaps between two stakeholders. A total of 50 academicians and 31 industry players in Malaysia were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test. In terms of soft skills, analytical thinking skills, communication skills, and discipline were more perceived by academicians, whereas decision-making skills, teamwork skills, and discipline were more favored by industry players. For hard skills, both players favored technology use, except for organizational capabilities which were perceived more by academicians while troubleshooting was favored more by industry players. This study contributes to the collaboration between public HEI and the E&E industry to address the skills gaps, which will benefit all stakeholders. This study focuses on the skills that are perceived more by both stakeholders.</span>
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