Search for Employability Skills: Employers, Novice Workers and HEC Approved Curriculum of BS Economics: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Universities are imprving their policies and curriculum to meet the changing needs of job market. At the same time the employers look complaining about the skills and the characteristics a graduate comes with for employment. Considering this, underlying research investigates the glimpses of development of employability skills in curriculum of discipline of economics implemented in higher education institutions of province of Punjab. For the purpose of fulfillment of the aim of study, this research adopted the qualitative research design. The proposed study has explored, by content analysis, role of higher education institutions, and curriculum of economics to address development of employability skills in graduates in universities. By using qualitative interpretive design, sub themes were sorted out followed by broader themes. Broader themes emerged from sub themes. The study explored that regarding development of most of the skills, the curriculum of economics had suitable content . Moreover curriculum has enough content to meet educational needs of students with diversity. A few needs of students regarding employability skills remained unfulfilled. The study recommended for teachers to have increased understanding of students needs to practice good pedagogy and revise curriculum to fulfill their academic needs as well as to increase the employability skills by universities in Pakistan.